St Albans City manager Steve Castle paid tribute to his threadbare squad after they kept their Blue Square South play-off hopes alive with a remarkable win at Eastleigh.

The Saints only had two players available on the bench, with the club unable to pay striker Ian Dunn, but Drew Roberts' 13th goal of the season fired them to a 1-0 win, their third successive victory.

His makeshift team also included James Quilter and Adam Everitt who played through the pain on Saturday with leg and hernia injuries respectively. Castle said: "I'm over the moon with them, I really am. I know it's an old cliche, but everything is against us at the moment. It's really tough but what I have got in the dressing room are terrific honest lads. The spirit is tremendous at the moment.

"I love being an underdog and at the moment the vibe from the home team, with us only having two subsitutes, was we've just come here to fulfil the fixture. We've done a little bit more than that."

City's financial problems, which have reportedly led to another transfer embargo, show no sign of easing and Dunn's absence at Eastleigh only highlighted the limitations of Castle's budget. A number of players, including Chris Sullivan, weren’t paid at the weekend and Castle admits his squad are punching above their weight.

"There was more than one player playing for nothing," he added. "I don't know [any more cuts planned], it's very tough and a big ask for these lads. We can offer Conference South football and a successful team at this moment in time, who are majorly overachieving.

"You do normally gauge on budgets and it's no coincidence that the most well supported team are streets ahead in this league with teams like Chelmsford and Staines just behind them.

"We're nowhere near that and probably level with the Weymouths and Lewes of this world but I just can't speak highly enough of these boys. It's great news at the moment and there's a chink of light at the end of the tunnel."

The Saints have moved to within four points of the top-five and they have a chance to close the gap on one of their rivals on Saturday when they meet Thurrock. Castle has pleaded with supporters to turn out in force for the game at Clarence Park.

The Saints boss, who expects to have Dunn available, said: "We need people to come out and support us and hopefully we can give them some decent entertainment.

"If we can do exactly the same to Thurrock, I know it's ifs and buts, then there is a play-off spot to fight for. It's still a big task but all we can do is keep winning.

"I just can't give the lads who have been involved with me enough credit. It would just be great to keep on winning and see where it takes us. Thurrock are very strong especially at the back."