St Albans City were in a charitable mood at Clarence Park as they gave £2,000 to charity and a Vanarama Conference South point to Staines Town.

The club presented two cheques at half-time, to Home Start UK and Rennie Grove, thanks to the FA Community Shield Fund, and, on the pitch, the team was equally generous as they failed to seriously threaten the league’s bottom team.

Staines’ relegation was confirmed after the game.

The points saw City move up to 15th in the league, but it was one of their worst performances of the season.

The first half was a dreadful spectacle, with both sides opting for a direct approach. It bore more fruit for the hosts but they failed to test Staines’ goalkeeper Jack Turner. Steve Wales came closest, striking the foot of the post from distance, but, more often that not, City’s attempts flew well wide of the target.

Joe Welch had an even easier half, collecting a few crosses, but, for the most part, he was a spectator.

Frendo forced a good save from Turner after the break, following a good pass from Corcoran, but the game descended back into a poor contest for the next 15 minutes.

Mercifully for the 621 in attendance, the introduction of Jamal Lowe, for Wales, who had a poor game, gave City a spark as, with his first involvement, he stole the ball away from Darren Purse and whipped in a low cross that was cleared.

Frendo made way for Michael Malcolm in the 61st minute and it produced City’s best chance of the game. From the top corner of the box, and with nothing on, Malcolm thundered a shot that was destined for the net but for a vital touch from Turner. It came just minutes after the Staines goalkeeper punched the ball clear with Simon Thomas lurking.

St Albans continued to press but every time they got close, former Birmingham defender Purse cleared the ball.

In the final moments, Corcoran curled a shot wide, failing to re-create the excellent goal he scored against Weston-super-Mare, and Malcolm missed a glorious chance, scooping his shot over the goalkeeper and the bar, ending St Albans’ chances of winning the game.

Teams

St Albans City: Welch, Chappell, Hall, Locke, Beckles, Kaloczi (Taylor - 74), Corcoran, Wales (Lowe - 61), N’Guessan, Frendo (Malcolm - 67), Thomas. Subs: D Green, J Green.

Staines Town: Turner, Felix, Brewer, O’Neil, Purse, M’Boungou, Boakye (Lodge - 57), Frieter, Fenelon (Cooke - 57), Buchanan, Worsfold (Aribo - 63). Subs: McAllister, Churchill.

Attendance: 621