An experimental St Albans City XI rallied from a nightmare first half display in the glorious Aylesbury sunshine on Saturday but still but still slithered to a 3-2 defeat at Haywood Way.

City were dire during the opening 45 minutes and justly trailed by three goals at the interval.

Much to the relief of manager Dave Howell the changes he instigated at half time led to an improved performance after the break but doubtless the large number of changes undertaken by Aylesbury boss Mark Eaton also contributed to a weakening of the grip his side had on proceedings prior to the interval.

Howell admitted to not being impressed by his side’s performance but was prepared to excuse the shortcomings, to some degree, by the number of trialists brought into the side.

“All in all it was another exercise in looking at a few more players. At half time we got them together and told them how I want them to go about the job for the second half, which they did for about seventy percent and got themselves back into the game.”

“I think what we learnt today is when you’ve got a side on the ropes, as we had in the second half, you’ve got to take advantage of it and kill them off. We didn’t and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb,” said the City manager.

There can be no denying that City looked a far more formidable proposition during the second half but it only partially masked a shocking opening 45 minutes during which Aylesbury, from the South & West Division of the Southern League, dominated the play and goal scoring opportunities.

The kick off was delayed by more than 15 minutes due to no match officials making their way to the ground, the game eventually kicked off under the guidance of Aylesbury staff.

Forty-five minutes later and one wondered if St Albans City had also yet to arrive.

Aylesbury started on the attack while City’s first attacking foray ended in agony for Danny Hart who picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Sean Shields.

With the home side dominating the midfield it was of little surprise when the opening goal came on 15 minutes.

City captain David Ijaha was adjudged to have fouled Aylesbury’s troublesome blond-haired left winger on the edge of the penalty area and from Jack Thompson’s low right-footed dead ball shot the ball squirmed through the hands of the diving City keeper Aiden Kelly and into the net via the inside of his left hand post.

Midway through the half Aylesbury added a second goal with one of the best moves of the game. Ricky Miller slipped a ball square inside the penalty area which in turn was arrowed between Kelly and Bailey for Greg Williams to poke home from close range.

St Albans, on 25 minutes, finally mustered an attempt on goal although Craig Davis’s headed looped harmlessly over the crossbar.

Keeper Kelly made amends for his earlier error when stretching spectacularly to tip a header onto the woodwork but his weak punch from the resulting corner should have presented Aylesbury with a third goal.

City squandered an excellent chance to get back into the game when Sakho Bakare beat the home keeper to the ball wide of the penalty area but after cutting to the goalline the Frenchman greedily shot into the side netting instead of teeing up either of the free duo of Sean Shields and Davis.

Two minutes from the break the Aylesbury custodian was called upon to make his first save of the afternoon when he stretched to beat away Marvin Alebiosu’s firm drive.

As the half moved into added time Aylesbury scored an outstanding goal although City appeared happy to give him a free run through.

Miller won the ball from Shields just inside the City half and after dashing down the right byline cut inside and past Moran before sending a rising drive from 18 yards into the roof of the net aided by Kelly’s far from impressive flap.

Howell made just two changes to personnel during the interval but he did change the formation and the two events did seem to inject greater determination and direction into the Saints play. Aylesbury made at least six changes and appeared all the poorer for it.

City were certainly far more impressive after the break with substitute Brian Haule adding a focal point to the attack while Solomon Shields arrival led to a shift in balance of power in midfield.

Moran was unfortunate with a header that crashed against the crossbar on 56 minutes, Davis scuffed the follow up, but City did win a corner from which the deficit was reduced courtesy of the Shields’ double-act.

Sean played the corner short to Solomon than ran round his colleague to collect a return pass and hammer a powerful drive into the home goal.

City now felt confident enough to test the home keeper with long range efforts from Bailey and Sean Shields.

And nine minutes from time the two Shields combined once more from a corner and this time when Sean chipped the ball into the centre of the penalty area Haule was able to bring the sphere down and stroke home the Saints second goal.

After the game Howell, who is off to New York on Tuesday, revealed that he had made four more signings.

Impressive defender Reece Yorke, formerly with Barnet Youth, Wealdstone and England Schoolboys, was the first to sign followed by midfielder Marvin Alebiosu, striker Brian Haule ex-Hendon, Hampton and Harrow, and Kojo Appentang formerly with Canvey Island.

St Albans are next in action on Tuesday evening when Peterborough United bring their first team squad to Clarence Park, kick off is at 7.45pm.

St Albans City: A.Kelly, M.Pooley, N.Barnard (R.Yorke 67), D.Ijaha (R.Magwood 79), R.Moran , S.Bailey (S.Lyon 73), J.Ehui (So.Shields 46), M.Alebiosu (A.Fry 73), S.Bakare (B.Haule 46).C.Davis, D.Hart (Se.Shields 10).