St Albans City recorded a much-needed Vanarama National League South win to inflict a first league defeat in eight league games on Wealdstone.

Ben Martin headed the only goal on 25 minutes in a game which neither side really controlled.

It came from their first real spell of pressure.

Martin had forced the corner when his volley from the edge of the area was deflected behind.

But he made no mistake from the set-piece, thumping a header beyond Jonathan North in the Wealdstone goal.

The goal gave City a new lease of life.

A right wing cross from Ben Nunn skidded off a defender, which was enough to wrong foot Louie Theophanous, and a Krans chip forced Dale Binns into a hurried, sliced clearance.

Until then Wealdstone had been slightly on top, mainly due to the form of Bradley Hudson-Odoi.

The left sided attacker was the one bright spot on a gloomy afternoon for the visitors & twice Joe Welch had to be smart to deny him a goal.

The heavy rain abated in the second half but with a strong wind still causing havoc, neither side could find their rhythm.

A deflected Sam Corcoran strike almost fell to Nunn and from t he resulting corner, Wealdstone had to scramble it from under the bar.

Former Arsenal man, Jernade Meade, made his Saints debut midway through the second half and sent a number of dangerous crosses which Wealdstone just managed to deal with.

Both teams had tough games in the FA Cup last week and with time running out, fitness started to wane, opening up chances at both ends of the pitch.

But bar one punch from Welch, Wealdstone could not find a way through and St Albans hung on for a vital win.