We lacked that vital bit of quality - Gray

St Albans City joint manager James Gray admitted his side lacked that vital bit of quality after his side’s 2-1 away defeat to Whitehawk on Saturday.

The Saints’ cause was inhibited by an almost unplayable pitch, akin to a swamp, as their hosts adapted better to the bog like conditions in a cumbersome display.

The spectacle, described as a non entity by Gray, was one to forget for the fans but the joint boss was disappointed with City conceding two sloppy goals and their lack of creativity.

“Time after time we’ve come off second best to sides,” he told Saintsnet after the game.

“We’ve lost too many games that are 2-1 and 3-2 and we lacked that cutting edge to get a point especially as we fell asleep for the set piece and that has been our undoing.

“Too many times the ball was getting stuck under our feet and our speed of play wasn’t quick enough.

“You cannot really play football on that pitch, it was like a ploughed field, probably the worst we have been to in non-league.”

James Kaloczi and John Frendo went close for City but the Hawks deserved the win and Gray knows they will have to improve for Wealdstone next weekend.

“Wealdstone have been playing well of late but we will be back home where we can play our style of passing football again,” he said.

“Our recent run of fixtures have been quite tough but we’ve got some winnable games coming up and we will look to finish the season strongly.”