St Albans City’s battle to beat the drop gathered more momentum thanks to a 3-1 win at Hayes and Yeading.

An early header from Charlie Macdonald, a cool finish from Leo Theophanous and a piece of individual brilliance from Harry Anderson helped Ian Allinson’s side to within one win of safety at the bottom of the Vanarama National League South.

In a solid all-round performance, St Albans restricted the hosts to very little, though Joe Welch had to be alert to turn a fierce low drive behind early on.

Macdonald, Saints’ Player of the Month for February, put them ahead when he headed home from close range after a Michael Thalassitis cross.

The lead was almost doubled moments later when Ben Martin headed a corner against the frame of the goal.

Always looking the more dangerous to find the back of the net, Saints increased their advantage when Theophanous was put clear before firing low beyond the dive of James Hamon in the home goal.

Hayes came out stronger after the break, and the City back line twice had to be alert to clear away the danger following a scramble in the six-yard box.

Anderson killed off any chance of a fightback, however, when he strolled past two challenges in midfield before rifling home a wonderful third just before the hour.

The midfielder nearly made it four fifteen minutes later but was denied by a fine save by Hamon before Thalassitis scuffed the rebound wide.

Hamon was on hand to deny the Saints again five minutes later before MacDonald skewed wide from five yards out.

Hayes got on the scoresheet with ten minutes play when a shot from distance came back of the bar allowing substitute Ismael Ehui to volley home a consolation.

The win was the second for Allinson’s men in a week after the Saints came from behind to beat Weston Super Mare last Tuesday and only the second away from Clarence Park in the league this season.