St Albans City manager David Howell believes his side have been reborn after they held league leaders Brackley Town to a 1-1 draw.

The Saints took an early lead through Sean Shields’ goal and they were well worth their point which came off the back of a 4-1 win over Evesham United last week.

Howell’s side have been boosted by the arrival of a group of players including QPR pair Michael Harriman and Mo Shariff which their manager believes has played a major role in their recent upturn in form.

But the Saints suffered a setback after influential midfielder Chris O’Leary returned to Wealdstone yesterday.

Howell, whose side travel to Chippenham Town in the league tonight, said: “I’d like to think of us as a born again team because we lost our way after a bright start to the season with a lot of entertaining football. Suddenly the wheels fell off and it is my job to get the side back on track.

“I’m conscious of the fact these things take time and this is only part of the process.

“This is nowhere near the finished article or anything like that but the feeling around the club and in the changing room is a lot more positive and that helps. “If you look at Chris O’Leary in the second half, his performance in midfield just in front of the back four was just awesome. He’s not even fit yet and he’s winning balls, making tackles and getting momentum to put us on the front foot.

“In other games if we don’t have someone like Chris the other side gets to build up their momentum. But they weren’t allowed to in the second half and Brackley will be very happy to leave with the point on their showing in the second 45 minutes.

“The new players have kind of given the lads a little injection. Overall I thought all the players contributed and gave a good account of themselves. I heard the crowd get behind us and sing and that’s the first time I’ve been here that I’ve heard a whole section of supporters actually singing because it was getting that gripping.

“We were pushing strongly to get the winner and it must have got a lot of people engrossed so it’s a credit to the team that they got a point.

“When the new players came in there was a definite surge in intensity in training with a better performance level in training.”

Despite taking the lead early on, Howell believes his side performed better in the second half and more than held their own against the table-toppers.

Howell said: “I thought our second-half performance was far superior to our first-half one. I just think getting the first goal so early maybe woke them up a bit.

“I think we had problems dealing with them at setpieces and corners because they’re a pretty big side.

“I think we withstood what they threw at us and we tried to get them on the backfoot. We came in at half time and regrouped.

“I wanted the lads to get a little bit of belief in themselves. It was evident in the second half that we were pushing for the three points until the very end. We weren’t content with the draw, that’s not my style.”

There is a St Albans City team and supporters coach going to Leamington for the away game this Saturday. The coach will depart at 11.15am from the Clarence Park entrance to the ground.

Since the coach has only a limited number of seats available, anyone going should book their ticket as early as possible.

To book a seat call Ian Rogers on 07714 145862 or Barry Hilliard on 07831 859041. The cost is £17 for adults and £11 for juniors.