St Albans City first team coach Harry Wheeler insisted the result trumped the performance against Redditch United at Clarence Park on Saturday.

City needed a late goal from substitute Elliot Bailey to give City a 2-1 win and snatch three points. Saints started the game well and John Frendo scored his 36th of the season but a lacklustre second half almost saw them drop two points.

After the game, Wheeler said: “Six points is the key and we’ll take them over the performances but the performances need to improve.

“When you’re still winning, it’s good sign but at the same time we’re not taking chances early on when we’re on top. If team gets a glimpse [of a comeback] then you’re on the back foot because it lifts them. We need to kill teams off earlier; that will stand us in better stead in games.”

Lee Chappell set up both goals; launching long throw-ins into the Redditch area. Wheeler called it a welcome aspect to City’s game.

“Sometimes you win from set plays; you can’t always win through football,” he said.

“We didn’t score from open play but we did from a throw which shows we have both in our locker.”

Omari Sterling James cancelled out Frendo’s opener after a defensive mistake at a throw-in allowed him a free run at Paul Bastock.

“It was awful defending; one of the worst goals we’ve conceded,” admitted Wheeler.

“The top teams play that quick all the time so we need to be aware. We have got to be wiser to it but we got away with it and hopefully we won’t do it again. We’ve learned the lesson learned before it hurts us.”

St Albans City are scheduled to play Biggleswade at the Carlsberg Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.