Ian Allinson says St Albans City can still mount a successful promotion push despite suffering a damaging late defeat to Concord Rangers on Saturday.

After battling back from 2-0 down to draw level through Ben Herd's 90th minute strike, City saw a share of the points go begging as Dion Sembie-Ferris netted in the second minute of added time.

City would have expected to win against a side battling relegation and slip to eighth in the Vanarama National League South, but Allinson retains belief in his squad.

"There are 16 games to go and we are just outside that six or seven teams [in the play-off] mix now, but a couple of three pointers will soon get us back up there," Allinson said.

"We need to start winning some games and start keeping some clean sheets. Once we do that we will pick up results which bring us back into the pack."

Defensive solidity appears to be the Saints' major concern at the moment and they haven't kept a clean sheet since December 10.

They showed excellent determination to battle back from two goals behind, but Allinson was nonetheless disappointed with his side's defending.

"The fact we didn't start the game very well is very disappointing and we were second best all over the park," he said.

"Full credit to Concord, they closed us down very quickly and we gave away cheap goals in the first 20 minutes because we didn't defend well.

"Unfortunately we got done by a sucker punch for the third goal.

"We were lazy again and didn't defend the long throw. One flick and the fella has rifled it into the bottom corner."

While defensive frailties may ultimately undermine City's play-off hopes, they show little sign of struggling in front of goal.

Both their goals on Saturday were well taken, with Shaun Lucien and Herd both firing in from 20 yards.

Allinson is pleased with his striking options and accepts attack may prove to be the best form of defence for the remainder of the campaign.

He said: "Even if we set up defensively we are still conceding goals at the moment.

"We are trying to play on the front foot and trying to get players who can score us goals involved in the game.

"We have four or five forwards now and and we need to try and score, but need to be aware we can't leave ourselves exposed at the back."

The defeat means City are without a win in six league games and the fine form of early season feels like a distant memory for the Clarence Park club.

Regardless they were just two points adrift of the play-off places ahead of a match against Welling United at the time of going to press.

Saturday sees Wealdstone visit Clarence Park as City look to get their season back on track.

Stones sit 13th in the table and are on a poor run of form, having lost their last three games, including a 4-0 loss against Dartford last time out.