James Gray insists there will be no sentiment spared when he returns to his former club Wealdstone this weekend with St Albans City.

Both sides were promoted to the Conference South last season but the Stones are bottom of the table and remain the only side without a win at this stage in the campaign.

Gray is looking forward to going back to the club but is focused on making sure the Saints continue their promising start to the campaign at the expense of Wealdstone.

The joint City manager said: “It will be nice to go back there this weekend but I won’t be taking pity on them and there will be no sentiment from me. We’re going there to do a job and come back with the three points.

“It would be nice to get a good reception from the fans but I won’t be holding my breath. I know how much the game means to them and they will be desperate to get a victory.”

Gray added: “Gordon Bartlett [Stones boss] knows enough about us and we know all about them too. But I think it will be a good advert for non-league football because both sides like to get the ball down and play. We’ve adapted a bit better than them since the start of the season but we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted.”

The Saints consolidated their position in the top ten of the division after easing to a 4-1 win over Maidenhead United on Saturday at Clarence Park.

Lee Chappell scored his first hat-trick for the club as St Albans ran out comfortable winners over ten-man Maidenhead.

Gray said: “To get four goals was obviously very pleasing and it’s always important to get points on the board at this stage of the season.

“Chappell getting a hat-trick was also pleasing because it’s rare for your left-back to score three goals. His goal return last season probably wasn’t as good as it should have been. But this will do him the world of good and hopefully he can go on and get another against his old club this weekend.”

The Saints have been drawn away to Hayes & Yeading United in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup. The tie will be played on the weekend of September 27.

Gray, whose side lost to Hayes at home on the opening day of the season, believes his side have not been dealt any favours by the draw as they travel to their Conference South rivals.