A Michael Thalassitis’ goal six minutes from time sent the St Albans City fans into rapture – and could be a huge moment in the battle to stay up.

The 1-0 win at Maidenhead United is enough to lift City to the edge of safety and the winner was one to savour.

The striker danced across the box, riding his luck at times but eventually turning it beyond Jake Pentney.

The final whistle saw the team to a man applaud the travelling fans amid joyous celebrations.

It took a long time to come though.

On a day when West Ham and Arsenal played out a 3-3 thriller, the hope was a match between sides managed by Alan Devonshire and Ian Allinson, players who locked horns for those two clubs, would serve up similar fare.

The first-half certainly didn’t.

Both sides needed to win for differing reasons. Maidenhead to stay in the play-off places. City to continue their climb towards safety.

But the first-half was a very cagey affair, with both sides looking like they didn’t want to lose.

The first effort took over 20 minutes to arrive, James Mulley with it, and was only dangerous due to the chance it could bobble on the sandy pitch.

The conditions were forcing a lot of balls into the air rather than on the ground, which added to the poor entertainment.

The best chance fell to Josh Huggins but his shot from the right was hacked clear by Scott Thomas.

For Saints Louie Theophanous and Harry Anderson both had efforts at goal, but both flew harmlessly over the bar.

The second half however was much better.

Saints started the brighter and after Theophanous headed a stinging Charlie MacDonald cross wide, Sam Corcoran’s side-foot shot came back off the corner of post and bar.

After 15 minutes of pressure the pendulum then swung the way of the hosts.

They had a goal disallowed for offside before Jake Reid and Christian Smith put shots just the wrong side of the woodwork.

Joe Welch made two stunning saves to keep City level.

The first denied Dave Tarpey and the second was a beauty, getting down low to deny Reid.

Thalassitis goal made for a nervy last five minutes but Saints stood firm under a barrage of balls into the box to claim a huge victory.

City: Welch, Thomas, Bender, Thalassitis, Oshodi, Martin, Anderson (Green 89), Corcoran, Theophanous, MacDonald (Gibson 68), Chappell

Subs (not used): Iwediuno, Locke, Udoji

Goals: Thalassitis 84

Maidenhead: Pentney, Huggins, Steer, Upward, Massey, Inman, Mulley (Wright 79), Smith, Reid, Tarpey, Pritchard

Subs (not used): Nisbet, James, Forbes, Wiltshire

Goals:

Attendance: 567