Ian Allinson says he will always value points over performances after St Albans City's laboured 1-0 win over Eastbourne Borough.

The result, which was secured by Tom Bender's goal, keeps City second in the National Conference South table.

While the display lacked the class shown by the Saints throughout an impressive campaign, Allinson says the three points are all that matter at this stage of the season.

"We had to dig deep today. They set up with five across the back and we struggled to get to grips with the game for long periods," Allinson said.

"We will take the 1-0. It is three points at the end of the day and whether we had won 1-0 or 5-0 it is the same three points. It is important we pick them up after a couple of draws.

"We haven't played well, we k now that, but we can work on that side of things. A 1-0 victory is still three points which is the most important thing at this stage of the season."

City were made to work for their reward against a Borough side sitting 11th in the table as their attackers struggled to influence proceedings.

They found a breakthrough a minute before the half-time break as Bender rose unopposed to head home a corner.

Junior Morais could have made the result more comfortable but spurned two second half chances.

Allinson was still pleased with the efforts of his forwards and highlighted the importance of a successful team sharing goalscoring duties.

"We can't keep relying on our wide players and attackers to score goals. Junior had a great chance when he went through on goal but put it wide," he said.

"So they are still making the runs and still getting opportunities but sometimes it has to fall to other players to score the goals."

With a busy Christmas schedule, in which City play four league games before the turn of the year, ahead Allinson is eager to strengthen his squad in order to chase down league leaders Maidenhead United.

"We have to keep chasing Maidenhead. They are on a fantastic run of form at the moment and don't concede too many goals," he said.

"We are going into the Christmas period looking to bring in a few players to make the squad stronger."

The return of Stevenage loanee Ryan Johnson offered St Albans a timely boost.

Allinson says the club will try and extend his stay beyond the end of the month.

He said: "We will have to sit down with Stevenage. They'll see where they are and what sort of game time the boy is getting.

"He's a Stevenage player and we have to be guided by what they say but hopefully we can extend his loan."