St Albans City departed the New Windmill Ground sporting a bitter mood on Saturday as a series of big decisions went against them and enabled home side Leamington to move to the top of the Southern League.

City’s frustration was understandable after having two, what appeared clear-cut, penalty appeals rejected while the in-form Brakes gained victory from a softly awarded spot kick.

What added to the Saints anger was that it was linesman Nigel Marriott who spotted an alleged offence in the build up to the deciding goal despite being further from the action than referee Martin Dexter.

Saints boss David Howell is normally reluctant to criticise match officials but was prepared to make an exception following the performance of Mr Dexter.

“The ref’ didn’t see any of the three penalties and the one he gave he didn’t see, it was his linesman that saw it. The linesman said it was one of the central defenders (that committed a foul), I said I’ve got two, one black and one white, which one was it? And he didn’t even know.”

“I am just disappointed, but you can’t alter these things that happen against you from the officials.”

Just for good measure, shortly after Jacob Blyth scored the decisive goal both he and City defender Ryan Moan were dismissed for an off the ball scuffle.

Leamington went into this first meeting between the two clubs boasting the second best home record in the Premier Division and with a full squad to choose from.

City, on the other hand, were fraught with problems that led to Howell making five changes from the side hammered in midweek at Chippenham.

Barrie Matthews (ill), Matt Cutchey (unavailable) and the injured Mo Shariff were absent along with the dropped Rob Haworth and Danny Hart.

Myles Scott, 17, came in at left-back, James Gray was given his first run in midfield while Jerome Walker and Paul Furlong were recalled to lead the attack. Tobi Jinadu joined Moran in the middle of the back four.

The introduction of Gray to bolster a department in which City have struggled to get an upper hand all season was an overwhelming success and played a major role in St Albans holding their own against Paul Holleran’s side.

Scott played with a maturity and confidence well beyond his tender years and the City Youth player looks to be a prospect of some quality.

The game began with Leamington attacking the North End and pushed forward by a fierce wind that became increasingly cold. The ground is situated quite some distance from the town and its open proximity leaves it exposed to the elements.

The Brakes, doubtless due to the strength of the wind, struggled to measure their passes during the opening 45 minutes but ought to have been ahead inside four minutes when the unmarked David Kolodynski headed wide from close in.

Nick Jupp quickly proved that the problems he experienced at Chippenham are behind him when flying high to his right on 17 minutes to push Stephan Morley’s perfectly struck 20-yard free kick that took a slight deflection off Jerome Walker, over the bar.

Midway through the half Ryan Watts sent Walker away with a delightful flick. The former Harrow player sought to cut between Leamington’s two central defenders but appeared to be sent flying by Asa Charlton. Somewhat surprising a penalty was not forthcoming.

After Kolodynski had a soft effort easily saved by Jupp St Albans countered with a Sean Shields free kick being partially cleared to David Ijaha whose shot was blocked and Watts follow up caught by home keeper Lee Evans.

After the interval City encountered the same problems as Leamington in trying to use the wind to their advantage and the conditions contributed to a gritty but generally uninspiring 45 minutes.

Just around the hour mark Moran thwarted two Leamington attacks with excellent interceptions while Blyth, following a Morley free kick, headed high over the visitor’s goal.

Shields, struggling to make an impact, received a short pass from Ijaha and tested Evans with a fine effort that the keeper had to watch closely before collecting.

And Evans again demonstrated his class when superbly tipping over Watts’ crisp drive after the midfielder had been set up by Scott and Walker.

City’s ire was raised when Gray sent Walker scurrying down the left flank and had his standing leg whipped from under him by Brakes skipper Lee Downes as he cut into the penalty area.

Again Mr Dexter deemed nothing untoward to have occurred.

But then he also saw nothing wrong when Brakes substitute Tommy Berwick, on 80 minutes, cut across Gray although his assistant did believe the City player to have impeded the Leamington man and indicated a penalty.

After a brief consultation the referee agreed and Blyth, from 12 yards, claimed his ninth goal of the season when driving the ball high to Jupp’s right.

Three minutes later a melee erupted which culminated in the dismissal of Blyth and Moran.

During the closing minutes City gave debuts to new signing Aaron Lansiquot, from Northwood, and City Youth player Matt Taylor. Lansiquot, 24, looked particularly lively and keen to add to the 10 goals he scored for his previous club earlier in the season.

Leamington: L.Evans, J.Mace (A.Taylor 55), S.Morley, L.Downs, J.Hood, A.Charlton, M.Touhy, J.Husband (T.Berwick 73), J.Blyth, D.Kolodynski (C.Owen 81), R.Batchelor, subs; S.Adkins, M.Gayle.

Dismissed: Blyth.

St Albans City: N.Jupp, M.Harriman, M.Scott, D.Ijaha, T.Jinadu, R.Moran, Se.Shields (M.Taylor 88), J.Gray, P.Furlong (A.Lansiquot 85), J.Walker, R.Watts, subs; R.Haworth, S.Bakare, R.Yorke.

Booked: Walker.

Dismissed: Moran.

Goal: 80 1-0 Blyth (p).

Referee: Martin Dexter (Leicester).

Att: 511.