A 2-0 win over Margate allowed St Albans City to close the gap to National League South leaders Maidenhead United to six points on Saturday.

Ryan Johnson and Junior Morias scored second half goals as City broke down a stubborn Margate side to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games.

The result leaves them four points clear of third place Ebbsfleet United ahead of matches against Hampton & Richmond and Oxford City over the festive period.

Margate are firmly embroiled in the relegation conversation but matched City for much of the first half as both sides struggled to dominate or create clear cut opportunities.

The chances which were made were largely speculative and when City did break through they found Douglas Pejetat in fine form in the Margate goal.

The second half brought a more consistent performance from City and they were ahead 10 minutes after the restart thanks to Johnson’s header.

Their was little guile about the breakthrough strike as the Saints defender applied the faintest of touches to a long throw and glanced a header into the corner.

They had the chance to double their lead, but Morias’ aim was found wanting as he fired high and wide after turning smartly on the edge of the box.

Further chances went begging for the visitors and Margate were fortunate to be in the game heading into the closing stages after City rattled the crossbar.

Margate were still creating plenty going forward and were inches from snatching an equaliser with five minutes to play.

Confusion in the City box allowed a Margate player to hit a shot into the ground which cannoned back off the post with James Russell well beaten.

Morias put the game beyond doubt in the 89th minute as he showed great footwork to jink inside a Margate defender and fire into the bottom right corner.

With Hampton currently occupying the final play-off spot, Saturday’s away clash promises to be a testing encounter for City.

Hampton’s recent form has been patchy at best though, after taking just one win from their last five league games.

They suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to 18th placed Concord Rangers last time out and are six points behind City, having played a game more.

City will still have to be wary of a side which has scored the joint-second most goals in the league with 44.

They will expect to have some joy against a porous defence which has conceded 30 times, the second most goals in the top half.

Maidenhead, meanwhile, take on fourth place Dartford and the Saints will hope the league leaders slip up and allow them to bridge the gap at the top.