St Albans City manager David Howell criticised the officials after his side fell to a controversial 1-0 defeat at new Southern Premier Division leaders Leamington on Saturday.

The Saints produced a spirited performance but came away feeling hard done by after linesman Nigel Marriott spotted a foul in the area which led to the hosts’ decisive 80th minute penalty.

St Albans City also had two decent cases for a spot kick turned down in a frustrating defeat at the New Windmill Ground. To add to their woes, Ryan Moran was sent off for the second time this season after a second-half scuffle with an opposing player.

Howell said: “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.

“I spoke to the ref and he seems convinced that one of my defenders [Moran] stamped on him [Leamington player] and the fella punched him so they both went.

“Ryan didn’t stamp on him, he was trying to close him down for a tackle. They had been at each other for most of the game. Maybe Ryan should have turned the other cheek instead of confronting him and then the ref wouldn’t have to make a decision. It was unfortunate because I thought he did well.”

Despite the disappointment of another away defeat, former Harrow Borough boss Howell took plenty of encouragement from his side’s performance particularly in the first half.

He added: “More importantly from my perspective it was a better showing from the players especially in the first half. It was a little disappointing in the second half that we didn’t try and get it down as much as we did in the first half. It felt like they matched us in the second half.

“I don’t think they were better than us but they definitely matched us whereas in the first half I thought we were the better side even against the wind.

“It’s just disappointing that we lacked a bit of creativity at the other end in the second half but you’ve got to remember this team won with a fortunate penalty decision and have gone top of the league.

“We should have learnt from that first 45 minutes what we needed to do and that’s what we were discussing at half time. We needed to get the ball wide and get good deliveries in to put them under pressure.

“We probably countered a lot better in the first half and maybe tried to go too long in the second half and couldn’t get momentum.

“I have to try and make sure we get ourselves back on track and become more consistent. We just have to keep on going because it’s a long old season. They’re top of the league and I thought we matched them comfortably.

“On another day we could have come away with the three points if we had known how to close out the game. I feel really sorry for the lads whereas on other days I haven’t felt sorry for them. I feel a bit for them.”

The Saints boss handed an opportunity to 17-year-old Myles Scott in defence and feels the youngster, who is one of several players who have been introduced to the first team, made a positive impact.

Howell said: “I got to the point where we needed some fresh faces and some impetus who weren’t affected by that virus going around Clarence Park where if we conceded a goal we folded and conceded another one and another one.

“Some of these younger lads just want to progress in football and they haven’t got the baggage that some of the lads have been unfortunately tainted with.

“They came in and did very well and it was just good to see them compete for 90 minutes. It was just unfortunate to play the way we did and come away with nothing.”

The Harpenden Construction Limited player of the month for November is Sean Shields and his award will be presented by Saints City Trust chairman, Ian Rogers, prior to this Saturday’s game against Barwell.