Ian Allinson has praised the impact made by Jamie Cureton since he joined St Albans City last month.

The veteran striker took his tally of strikes for the Saints to four on Saturday as he found the net in a 2-2 National League South draw against Hemel Hempstead.

At 41 Cureton is well into the twilight of his career, but Allinson says his experience both on and off the pitch is a valuable asset.

“We spoke to a lot of people before we brought him in and obviously people questioned his age, but everybody said he was as fit as anybody at any level,” he said.

“It has worked out tremendously for us because he is a threat, is a great lad in the dressing room and has helped the younger players.

“There aren’t many people at this level of football who would have reacted like he did for the goal. He got across the first man and the finish was sublime to get us back in the game.”

Saturday’s clash at Hemel saw City twice fight back from going behind after Jake Robinson scored twice for the hosts.

Allinson’s side left it late to snatch a share of the spoils as Sam Merson struck in the fourth minute of added time.

The result sees City drop to fifth in the table and Allinson was left ruing individual errors which undermined an otherwise solid performance.

“To score the goal in the last minute takes a little bit away from where we need to be because we needed to pick up three points,” Allinson said.

“I thought in the second half we were absolutely outstanding and really made two horrendous mistakes which gave them the lead twice.

“We came back on each occasion and scored some great goals. We had three or four great opportunities to have gone on and won the game and their keeper made some great saves.”

City will now turn their attention to a league meeting with Poole Town on Saturday.

Poole have found form in recent weeks and a run of five games in a row without defeat has taken them up to third.

Their was little to suggest Saturday’s hosts would trouble the upper echelons of the league when the sides last met in September.

The Saints recorded a comprehensive 4-0 win at Clarence Park, but Allinson is under no illusions about the test which awaits City.

“4-0 at home was an injustice on their behalf because for 35 minutes in that game they were by far the better side,” he said.

“They are on a good run of form at the moment but we have to go there and believe we can get a result. After what I have seen in the second half [against Hemel], we have so much to build on.

“We have to cause them as many problems as we can and hopefully pick up three points.”

Allinson revealed an extensive injury list has shown signs of shortening somewhat.

Both George Casey and Charlie Walker are expected to return to training this week and could be in line to feature against Poole.