St Albans City manager Ian Allinson cut a frustrated figure as the Saints lost 5-3 in the FA Cup to Sky Bet League Two Carlisle United at Clarence Park.

The frustrations came from the fact that although they scored three goals, and three outstanding ones at that, they conceded from set-pieces, something they have been working on all week.

They led 1-0 early on through Junior Morias and levelled it up again at 2-2 midway through the second half but was the manner of the goals conceded that annoyed the boss.

Allinson said: “The one area we were concerned about was set-pieces and we’ve been undone by them today. We’ve not defended them.

“So it’s a bit disappointing because we’ve worked quite hard on them over the last few days.

“We never got going for the first 15 minutes of the second half. We didn’t get the ball in areas where we could hurt them and they were comfortable until we made the changes.

“At 2-2 an upset was on the cards but unfortunately we couldn’t defend those set-pieces.

“Even at 3-2 we have had another chance. The players were excellent and there wasn’t much between the two teams.

“Our shape with three at the back helped us.”

He was full of praise for two-goal Morias, who now has six in three since returning from suspension.

He said: “I’ve known Junior for a few years after spotting him at Wycombe. I got him on loan at Boreham Wood and signed him when he was released.

“He had a frustrating time last season and we were pleased to have got him in the summer.

“He’s been on fire and he’s worked extremely hard. I thought his performance today was outstanding and he caused them lots of problems.”

And Allinson was also left rueing the decision not to give Michael Raynes a second first-half yellow card.

“Because he didn’t book Junior five minutes before maybe he let them off with this one.

“The referee went to his pocket to produce a card and then decided as he booked him earlier to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“I think we all [thought it was a red] and I think Keith Curle realised because he substituted him two minutes later.

“That’s a big turning point. I said before the game that little instances change these games and that could have done.”