St Albans City joint manager James Gray insists his side weren’t that far behind league leaders Boreham Wood and matched them for long periods despite losing 2-0 at home on Saturday.

The Saints pushed Ian Allinson’s pace-setters hard at Clarence Park although the visitors’ clinical finishing punished City in a tight contest. But Gray took plenty of encouragement from their performance and believes the gap between 11th-placed St Albans and the Conference South leaders is not that wide.

Gray said: “It’s unfortunate but that’s football and there are fine lines. I can’t ask much more and the boys will be disappointed with the result but performance-wise during the game I thought we matched them pretty much around the pitch. We’re getting closer and it just gives us a little bit of food for thought.

“We’re not that far off and we need to try and close the gap a little bit more. That’s what we’ll be trying to do over the next few months going into next season.

“We ran the league leaders close and they’ve been in this league for five or six seasons now. Every year they’ve learnt and we’re doing exactly the same.”

The hosts conceded an early goal when Ricky Shakes scored after three minutes. Wood sealed the win in injury time through Junior Morias but the Saints boss felt his side were unfortunate not to get something out of the match.

Gray said: “I just said to the lads that there are fine lines in football. We switched off early in the game in the third minute for a quick free-kick they took. We never got set up properly and the players weren’t doing their jobs. There was a bit of an inquest at half-time about what went wrong for the goal and again it was down to a lack of concentration and communication.

“The last one we’re chasing the game and we just fell asleep slightly. But I think they’re top of the league and flying high and we weren’t that far behind at times. I think if you interviewed Ian Allinson out there he’ll think we had them on the rocks and they were panicking a little bit.

“But we just couldn’t get that goal. I think if we’d got that goal to bring it back level then I actually believe we would have gone on and won the game because they were rocking big time and we had a real good energy about us.”

The Saints boss felt the finishing between the sides was the difference on Saturday and has called on his side to be more clinical in front of goal.

Gray said: “I don’t think they caused us too many problems. Defensively we were outstanding and across the middle we matched them up. But the difference between the two sides and, Ben Martin (former Saints player) will vouch for this was the centre forwards. You could see their centre forwards stick it in the back of the net when they get the opportunity.

“We need to do that on a more regular basis and the chances we’re getting we’re not getting enough return for. That’s something we’re working hard at because this season you might only get two or three chances compared to seven or eight last year.”

St Albans were boosted by the availability of midfielder Charlie Smith after he returned on a one-month loan from Luton Town.

“He did well when he came on,” Gray said. “He’s a natural left-sided player. He’s quite good running with the ball and quite clever. He was unfortunate when he had a great shot and it was blocked by a defender. He’ll enhance what we’ve got.”

The Saints host Hadley tonight in the Herts Senior Cup quarter-final. City’s next match is on Saturday at home to Concord Rangers.

The December player of the month is James Comley. The award will be presented prior to this Saturday’s game.

There is a St Albans City team and supporters’ coach going to Maidenhead United for the Conference South game on Saturday, January 24. The coach will depart at 11am from the Clarence Park entrance to the ground. Since the coach has a limited number of seats available, anyone going should book as early as possible.

To reserve seats, call Ian Rogers on 07714 145862 or you can book at the game on Saturday. The cost for the coach is £10.