Ian Allinson admitted he would have taken a point after a sluggish St Albans City performance against Chippenham Town so was obviously very pleased to have walked away with three.

Herts Advertiser: Rhys Murrell-Williamson scores St Albans City's second against Chippenham Town. Picture: BOB WALKLEYRhys Murrell-Williamson scores St Albans City's second against Chippenham Town. Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

It was a game that had 0-0 written all over it until Kieran Monlouis burst into the box in the first minute of added time and was fouled.

Herts Advertiser: Rhys Murrell-Williamson and the Clarence Park crowd celebrate St Albans City's second goal Picture: BOB WALKLEYRhys Murrell-Williamson and the Clarence Park crowd celebrate St Albans City's second goal Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

Zane Banton stuck away the penalty and there was still time for Rhys Murrell-Williamson to add a second and hand City a victory that could go a long way in their push for promotion.

Herts Advertiser: Kieran Monlouis looks to put the ball into the box. Picture: BOB WALKLEYKieran Monlouis looks to put the ball into the box. Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

And it was for that reason, coupled with the below-par display, that the Saints manager was relieved at the end.

Herts Advertiser: Tariq Moore-Azille battles to win the ball. Picture: BOB WALKLEYTariq Moore-Azille battles to win the ball. Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

He said: “To be fair I’d have probably walked away with a draw because you’re not going to be able to play well every week.

Herts Advertiser: Shaun Lucien has a shot against Chippenham Town. Picture: BOB WALKLEYShaun Lucien has a shot against Chippenham Town. Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

“When you have poor performances you have to pick something up and 0-0 would have been a fair result.

Herts Advertiser: Sam Merson's first-half effort is deflected behind for a corner. Picture: BOB WALKLEYSam Merson's first-half effort is deflected behind for a corner. Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

“But that last couple of minutes we managed to drive at them, got a bit of luck, and managed to pick up three.

Herts Advertiser: David Noble driving through the middle of the park. Picture: LEIGH PAGEDavid Noble driving through the middle of the park. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

“There have been plenty of times this season when we’ve played well but got beat so it was nice to not play so well and get something.”

Herts Advertiser: Rhys Murrell-Williamson slips past Alex Ferguson. Picture: LEIGH PAGERhys Murrell-Williamson slips past Alex Ferguson. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

Allinson was at a loss to explain his side’s lethargy but said credit had to go to the visitors.

Herts Advertiser: Rhys Murrell-Williamson celebrates with the St Albans City fans after scoring the second goal of the game. Picture: LEIGH PAGERhys Murrell-Williamson celebrates with the St Albans City fans after scoring the second goal of the game. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

“We can’t come out and play like we did against Dartford and East Thurrock every week because teams show you respect after that,” he said.

Herts Advertiser: Sam Merson tries to guide the ball in from the edge of the box. Picture: LEIGH PAGESam Merson tries to guide the ball in from the edge of the box. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

“Chippenham worked really hard at nullifying the space we use but when we did have we were too slow.

Herts Advertiser: Dean Snedker punches clear against Chippenham Town. Picture: LEIGH PAGEDean Snedker punches clear against Chippenham Town. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

“Our passing wasn’t sharp and we were too cumbersome in our possession.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans City observe a minute's silence prior to their game with Chippenham Town in memory of long-standing Saints supporter Ken Allen. Picture: BOB WALKLEYSt Albans City observe a minute's silence prior to their game with Chippenham Town in memory of long-standing Saints supporter Ken Allen. Picture: BOB WALKLEY (Image: Archant)

“We didn’t pass forward quick enough, it was all side to side and it was all too deliberate.

Herts Advertiser: Solomon Sambou and Rhys Murrell-Williamson celebrate with Zane Banton after he converted a 92nd-minute penalty. Picture: LEIGH PAGESolomon Sambou and Rhys Murrell-Williamson celebrate with Zane Banton after he converted a 92nd-minute penalty. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

“And that gave them the opportunity to get behind the ball and when they did that they never left any space for us.

Herts Advertiser: Zane Banton's late penalty beats the outstretched hand of Chippenham Town keeper Jared Thompson. Picture: LEIGH PAGEZane Banton's late penalty beats the outstretched hand of Chippenham Town keeper Jared Thompson. Picture: LEIGH PAGE (Image: Archant)

“But when we did get into good areas our delivery was poor.

“For some reason we never really came out of the traps, from the first whistle.”

“We never got going for the whole game. We switched players, we switched formation, anything to get us back in it.

“It was about trying to get a reaction and probably the one time Kieran has got a bit of space to run at people, he’s got into the box and won a penalty.”