St Albans City joint manager James Gray has called for more consistency from his side after a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Farnborough on Monday night.

The Saints earned an impressive 1-0 win at Conference South promotion challengers Basingstoke Town on Saturday after teenage debutant Charlie Smith scored following his loan move from Luton Town.

But the side’s success was quickly undone two days later after they were beaten by struggling Farnborough in their third consecutive league defeat at Clarence Park.

Gray, who also handed a debut on Saturday to defender Ian Gayle after his loan move from Dagenham & Redbridge, said: “There is frustration and it’s there for all to see. It was like Jekyll and Hyde compared to Saturday. I felt really positive going into the game and we had a good warm up so I really felt we were going to be on the front foot but it just didn’t work for us.

“We didn’t move the ball quickly enough and too many people were off their game - it’s our story at Clarence Park. It spreads like wildfire throughout our side. Too many times we were second best and to gift them the goals that we did, gives us a mountain to climb.”

Gray says he would rather his players performed to a similar standard each week rather than the extreme highs and lows of the past two games.

He said: “I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bath water but I’m not happy today and I was on Saturday. I’ve just said to the lads you can’t go from an eight or nine performance down to a five or a six. The reason people are playing at Conference South level and not professionally, because they’ve all been at pro clubs, is they can’t get that consistency.

“That consistency is what I’m after and is why I’m disappointed. I would be happy if week in, week out everyone gave a seven but I don’t want to see nines and eights and then going down to fours, fives and sixes which has happened too many times now.”

The Saints found themselves 2-0 down to Farnborough after Michael Richens and Reece Beckles struck. The Saints fought back to level through Steve Wales and Joel Nouble, however, an 87th minute goal from Phil Page secured victory for the visitors.

“We got back to 2-2 and then gave away another terrible goal,” Gray said. “Three or four times it could have been avoided and it’s ended up in the back of the net. Good night Vienna and we all go home disappointed.

“I wasn’t happy and told the players a few home truths. Collectively and individually it wasn’t good enough.

“To be fair the lads came out second half and made a fight of it and tried to force the issue. At 2-2 it looked like there’s only going to be one winner and then we just gifted them a terrible goal.”

Gray added: “I would have been happy with a 2-2 draw the way we played. The difference between the way we defended their third goal and the way they defended when Jon Nouble skinned a couple was telling. Their guy just took a booking for the team and that’s what we should have done. We didn’t do it and it’s very frustrating.

“To lose the game in that manner after getting back level is disappointing and frustrating. This league is difficult and every time you make a mistake you get punished. Individually we could have done a lot better to stop those goals.”

St Albans have been drawn at home to fellow Conference South side Wealdstone in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The game will be played on Saturday, November 29.

The Saints’ next match is against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday at Clarence Park.

The side will be without the suspended Lee Chappell after his late dismissal against Farnborough. Meanwhile, striker Geoff Mitchell has moved on to Canvey Island.