Jimmy Gray, St Albans City’s joint-manager, sported a beaming smile after his side secured a 1-0 win over Wealdstone.

Gray spent three years as captain of the visitors but the main thing as far as he was concerned was the win.

He said: “Getting the three points was the all-important thing but it’s all the sweeter when it’s against a side you used to play for.

“It’s a club I really like, great fans and a great manager.

“We just needed three points, however it came, and that was my team talk.

“The boys delivered today, we looked a little shaky at times, but once the goal went in we settled down.

“There was some good performances today and some players getting back to what I expect from them.”

He gave a special mention to goalscorer Ben Martin.

The City boss said: “I thought he took his goal really well.

“He’s took a bit of criticism recently. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times this week and he thinks he may have let himself down with a couple of goals [against Grimsby].

“But today, as soon as he scored his goal, he grew and grew.

“He was immense in the second half because they did through a lot towards us and he headed everything away.”

“I’m pleased for him but now he needs to kick on.”

The weather was not condusive to a expansive game of football with wind and rain giving both teams trouble.

Gray said: “It was ascrappy game. We’re not the league’s big hitters.

“We had to weather a bit but we also played some good football.

“It was never going to be a free-flowing game of football. We needed thee points; we’re desperate for points.

“It’s been tough but I’ve just challenged the boys to a new target.

“And to be fair to them, the spirit is brilliant. The lads are in there dancing.

“That’ll help us massively.”