St Albans missed the chance to pick up all three points after a 1-1 draw against Chelmsford City at Clarence Park.

Ed Oshodi’s second goal over the Christmas period put Saints into the driving seat before the break.

But they were met by an onslaught in the second half by Chelmsford who deservedly equalised through Billy Bricknell on 77 minutes.

And in the end neither side could have too many complaints with a point.

Caretaker manager, Harry Wheeler, sprung a surprise with his lineup, preferring Jonathan Edwards and Kevin Krans up front to top-scorer, Louie Theophanous and Harry Crawford.

And it seemed to be a clever decision with St Albans making a good start.

Edwards muscled his way down the right but with his low cross begging to be converted, Kevin Krans miscued in front of goal.

Edwards was at the heart of City’s better moments in the first period.

Jernade Meade was denied after being put in by the on-loan Peterborough man before Chelmsford keeper Tim Brown made a good stop to deny Edwards’ surging run through the middle.

Oshodi, who had looked a threat from right back, stooped low to head in a Tom Bender cross and it came just as Chelmsford were having their best spell of the half.

The goal came seconds after Edwards thought he had scored, but his moment was taken away from him by the linesman’s flag.

Chelmsford started the second half much brighter.

Long throws by Bagasan Graham caused plenty of nervous moments and the Chelmsford left back brought a good save from Joe Welch.

The Saints stopper made an even better save from Graham’s backwards header but it was the left back who would bring the equaliser, his long throw finding its way to Bricknell to finish at the back post.

There were plenty of nervy moments late on but both teams had to be content to finish 2015 with a point.

City: Welch, Oshodi, Chappell, Corcran, Johnson, Locke, Bender, Comley, Edwards (Crawford 85), Krans (Theophanous 60), Meade (J.Green 75)

Subs (not used): Martin, Thomas

Goals: Oshodi 41

Chelmsford: Brown, Haines, Graham, Morgan, Ekpiteta, McAuley,Marlow, Hunt, Bricknell, Whichelow (Sawyer 46), Daley

Subs (not used): Gordon, Girdlestone, D.Green, Peter

Goals: Bricknell 77

Att: 668