Ian Allinson has questioned the mentality of his St Albans City players after they required a Charlie Walker wonder strike to earn a 1-1 draw against lowly Margate.

Trailing relegation threatened Margate to Michael Thalassitis' second minute strike, the Saints left it until the fourth minute of added time to draw level through Walker's stunning long-range volley.

Having taken positive results against play-off hopefuls Dartford and Hungerford Town in recent weeks, Allinson feels City may have an issue raising their game against supposedly weaker outfits.

"Sometimes you have to look at the mentality of the players and I feel we don't do anything different when we play a team like Dartford than we do against Margate," Allinson said.

"We have got to go out and work twice as hard against these sides because they are fighting for their lives.

"When you have a team that is sat back it causes some hard decisions for you to try and break them down."

While the failure to take three-points from a side sitting 21st in the National League South table was a disappointment, Walker's goal was still a sight to behold.

Coming onto a bouncing ball some 30 yards from goal, Walker hit a first time volley which dipped beyond the despairing Jon Miles and into the top corner.

Allinson described the strike as the goal of the season, but was more preoccupied with the slow start which left City chasing the game.

"Before you know it you are 1-0 down and have to go and chase the game," he said.

"It starts with the first two or three minutes of the game and we didn’t start right. Once you are behind, it becomes very difficult against a side which is defending for its life."

Sitting 10th in the table, City appear to have little to play for with four games left in the season.

They continue their run-in with a clash against Whitehawk, who are fighting against the drop and are four points above the relegation zone, on Easter Saturday,.

City's respective comfort could well boost Whitehawk's confidence heading into the clash at the Enclosed Ground.

Allinson, however, is refusing to let the Saints' season reach a premature end and is targeting a strong conclusion to a campaign which has petered out since the turn of the year.

"We are a mid-table side but I won't just sit there and accept that we are just going through the motions," he said.

"I am involved with the referee, I am involved with the linesman and their players. I want to win every game of football we play."

"I won't let the season drift."

Victory on Saturday could take City up to ninth in the table, providing Bath City lose on the road against East Thurrock United.

Conversely, defeat, which would see a three game unbeaten run come to an end, could result in St Albans dropping to as low as 13th.