Ian Allinson wants his St Albans City side to keep doing what they are doing – ahead of a pivotal period for their Vanarama National League South promotion hopes.

Saints are currently second, nine points behind league leaders Maidenhead United.

They do, however, have a game in hand, tomorrow’s (Saturday) trip to Margate, before fixtures against Hampton & Richmond Borough and a Christmas double header against Oxford City.

Those are then followed by the visit of the leaders on January 7.

Speaking to the club website, Allinson said: “We’ll take where we are, second in the league. We’ll keep winning if we keep doing what we’re doing. There will be a rocky period where we don’t pick up three points and we’ll have to overcome that.

“But we’ve got to remain positive, we’ve got to remain confident and keep doing what we’re doing.”

Allinson hopes to bring in some new faces to help bolster that promotion push, and has already started with the introduction of former Boreham Wood man, and St Albans loanee, Graeme Montgomery from Hemel Hempstead Town.

“Graeme became available in the week and I just felt we were a little bit light down the left side of the squad,” said Allinson.

“I know Graeme from old and he will just give us that little bit of quality and between now and the end of the season, he will create a lot of chances and chip in with the goals.”

City’s trip to Margate has bookmakers predicting a comfortable away win.

But Allinson is having none of it.

He said: “We’ve got a tough game at Margate and then we’re at Hampton the week after.

“We’re under no illusions. We’re going into a tough run of games and we need to pick up wins. Draws are no good in this league.

“[Margate] have lost some players but they’ve brought some more in. If we turn up thinking we can just turn up and win, then we’re going to be in for a massive shock.”