St Albans City joint manager James Gray felt his team caused Grimsby Town problems and had them wobbling despite falling to a 5-1 FA Cup first round defeat on Saturday.

The Saints were well beaten at full time but Gray's side gave the Mariners a scare in the second half after pulling the game back to 2-1 after a superb finish from Louie Theophanous.

Gray said: "We were probably in charge a little bit there.

"It was a superb finish [for the goal] and struck it right off the underside of the bar to really get us back in the game. I really felt the momentum shift. We were on top and causing them problems. They were wobbling a little bit but the third goal killed us."

But Gray felt defensive mistakes cost them dearly especially with the National League side's second goal just before half time.

The Saints boss said: "It was a killer goal [second before half time] to concede. A mix up between the full-back and the goalkeeper. I would have taken 1-0 at half time.

"There wasn't a lot in the game to be honest and I thought we started quite brightly. They weren't peppering us and that was a real body blow. "

Grimsby opened the scoring after half an hour when Conor Townsend fired a 25-yard free-kick past goalkeeper Joe Welch.

The hosts doubled their lead just before half time when a misunderstanding enabled Padraig Amond to make it 2-0.

The Saints responded strongly at the start of the second half and were rewarded when Theophanous unleashed a superb strike in off the crossbar to give them hope.

But City's chances of equalising were scuppered when Jon-Paul Pittman slid in the hosts' third goal in the 71st minute.

Two goals in the last five minutes from Grimsby's Marcus Marshall and Amond were perhaps harsh on the Saints.

Gray admitted: "I think the fitness levels of our boys could be better. For them to be full time it was always going to be difficult but we did match them first half. I thought we knocked the ball around really nicely although we didn't have a massive killer threat."

The Saints boss felt his side's decision making proved costly against their higher league opponents.

He said: "Too many times I don't think we did the right things in the right areas and maybe that's the difference between the level they are at and the level of players I've got here."

The Saints turn their attention back to the National League South this Saturday with a home game against Wealdstone.

Gray, whose side are second bottom, said: "That's our main concern [league]. This is good for the fans and the club to get some money. But how we do in the league shapes our season and we really need to pick up."

"Wealdstone are next at Clarence Park and they've picked up recently."