St Albans City joint manager James Gray described his players as outstanding after ten-man Saints were denied a first win of the season due to a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw at home to Hemel Hempstead Town.

City looked on course for a precious National League South win on Monday until former Saint Jamal Lowe equalised in the 87th minute.

Gray said: "For once in a game this season we probably deserved the three points. I thought each to a man were outstanding especially going down to ten men for such a long time. I'm disappointed for them we didn't get the full three points.

"To lose two points so late on again against Hemel is tough to take but I'm pleased with the overall improved performance and at last we gave our fans something to look at and think we're not that far off."

The Saints made a superb start to the game when Simon Thomas fired home the opener after just 52 seconds.

But the key moment in the match came just before the break when Ian Gayle was sent off contentiously for putting an arm on Dennis Oli in the area. Oliver Hawkins converted the penalty to make it 1-1.

City regained the lead when Kevin Krans struck a superb shot into the net before Lowe's late equaliser.

Gray said: "I don't think the referee gave us anything all day long and he looked like he was always trying to give them something. He was always giving them a free-kick and booking our players for the most ridiculous of things.

"Chris (O'Donnell) has been down here a few times and we don't really get the rub of the green from him quite often so I don't know whether he's got a grudge against the club or myself because he has sent me for an early shower in my career. There maybe something in that, I don't know."

City travel to fellow strugglers Margate this Saturday looking for a first win of the campaign.