St Albans City joint manager James Gray described his side’s quality in the final third as “awful” after their frustrating goalless draw at home to bottom side Staines Town.

The Saints dominated the match but wayward finishing proved costly as they were unable to break down a Staines side who were relegated from the Conference South after the final whistle on Saturday.

Gray said: “I was so frustrated on the side because our final third quality wise was awful. I’ve told the boys we need to be a lot better. To score a goal, you at least have to hit the target and with 13 shots off target and only two on that’s not a good enough return.

“We flattered to deceive all day. Our passing wasn’t crisp but the pitch was awful. But I think the boys have said in there that we just didn’t rise to the occasion. I was looking to get a good result and cheer myself up because it’s so frustrating at times watching us on the side. Time after time we have had plenty of opportunities and not put them away. Today was just another one of those for us.”

The Saints boss added: “Fair play to Staines. They came here and worked their socks off to nullify a lot of our play. The pitch was very poor but I’m not giving the boys any excuses. We weren’t at the races today.

“Staines came here knowing if they didn’t get the win they would be relegated so fair play for their battling quality. I thought everyone worked for their manager out there.

“We found it quite difficult because we just didn’t have any quality in the final third. On another day we could have scored three or four but we were just lacking. On today’s performance the season is just fizzling out.”

St Albans are virtually safe with five games remaining but the manager is still frustrated by the inconsistency which has left them 15th in the table this season.

Reflecting on their position, Gray said: “It’s satisfactory because at the start of the season it was all about staying in this division. If we do that all well and good, but I’m still frustrated because with the quality we’ve got we should be doing a lot better.

“Some games fans see us and think what superb players they are and the week after they wonder why they’re even on the pitch. It’s a strange scenario to go from one extreme to the other. We need to work collectively to get that consistency out of everybody. I know for a fact it’s a mentality thing because the ability is there.”

The Saints handed a debut to Joseph N’Guessan after joining from Stevenage for a month. Gray was encouraged by the winger’s performance and hopes it is the start of a partnership with the League Two club.

He said: “We’ve opened a link with Stevenage. They’ve got a talented squad and are doing well in their division. There could be players that we may be able to pinch next season so we’ve opened that avenue.

“I thought Joe did quite well. We didn’t utilise him enough because we were very wasteful in the final third but I thought he was really bright last Monday in a behind closed doors game.

“He never stopped today, supplied some good crosses and it was unfortunate we didn’t use him enough. We had plenty of possession but didn’t have enough cutting edge,” Gray added.

Midfielder James Comley should return this week after setting up a goal on his international debut for Montserrat in their 2-1 defeat to Curacao on Friday.

Comley is set to return to the squad for City’s trip to Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday before their home game with Eastbourne Borough two days later.

The March player of the month award went to Jamal Lowe. The award will be presented to Lowe, who has won it for the last two months, prior to Easter Monday’s home game against Eastbourne Borough.

All supporters are reminded the player of the season voting will take place at the Eastbourne game at the York Road entrance to the ground.

It is the only chance to vote for the three awards which are the player of the season, the John Wangford Memorial Trophy for the goal of the season and the Wagstaffe Simmons Award, which is for the person supporters feel has done most for the club either off or on the pitch.