Ian Allinson believes St Albans City have the players to beat the Vanarama National League South drop.

The 58-year-old ex-Arsenal winger, who has until this week been director of football with National League Borehamwood, was speaking after seeing his side for the first time as they drew 2-2 with Concord Rangers.

The point lifted City from the foot of the table to second bottom, and four points from safety, with 14 games left to climb out of the three relegation places.

He said: “With the squad that is assembled at this football club, this football club should not be [towards the] bottom of the table.”

Allinson watched on as the Saints got themselves 2-0 ahead with goals from Edward Oshodi and Michael Thalassitis, only for Concord to strike twice in the final 11 minutes through Steve Cawley and Sam Bantick to share the spoils.

The new manager saw plenty of hope with the overall performance of his new side.

“[It was] very, very positive for long periods, the last 10-15 minutes whether we got nervous, whether we got tired only time will tell from what I can see from today there’s lots of positives,” he said.

“I felt the first 20-25 minutes we struggled to get out of our box, there was a bit of a wind out there, they pressed us and we are probably lacking confidence after 11 games since we’ve won a game and four defeats on the bounce.

“When the second goal went in we played, for 10-15 minutes, some really nice football and could have got the third goal.”

Striker Louie Thephanous had a goal ruled out for handball before Sam Corcoran strayed offside when City broke clear and looked certain to go 3-0 ahead.

Concord were able to capitalise on a Saints error to get a goal back before pulling level at the death.

“It was disappointing their first goal has come from out corner, that shouldn’t happen,” he said.

“It gave them a lift, if we’d have gone on for five more minutes at 2-0 we could have then gone on and seen the game out comfortably.

“As soon as we gave that goal away a little bit of panic set in.”

Next up for Allinson and St Albans is a trip to league leaders Ebbsfleet on Tuesday.