St Albans City’s perfect start to the season came to an end as a 1-0 loss to Braintree Town saw them slip from the top of the National League South table.

The Bank Holiday Monday loss came via Mark Okoye’s 64th-minute header as he got free at a corner to convert.

The result sees City drop points for the first time this season and slip to second in the table after Chelmsford City’s 2-0 win over Concord Rangers.

They are second by virtue of goal difference after the loss against a Braintree side sitting fifth in the table.

Ian Allinson’s side pushed for an equaliser in the second half after going behind, but in truth they never really looked like finding one.

Indeed, they needed Dean Snedker to be alert in goal to prevent Town extending their advantage.

City will hope to return to winning ways when they entertain Gloucester City on Saturday.

It will be no easy task, however, with the visitors arriving at Clarence Park on the back of a three-game winning run.

Monday’s disappointment came on the back of a spirited display against Concord Rangers two days earlier, which saw the Saints come from behind to win 2-1.

After a goalless first half, City fell behind with just three minutes of the second period played, but were level almost immediately through skipper David Noble.

The midfielder collected possession some 25 yards from goal before letting fly and beating Louis Wells at his near post.

From that point on City grew into the game and began to create a number of openings.

They took the lead through Charlie Walker as Noble turned from scorer into provider.

The veteran’s corner found Walker in space and he forced home the decisive goal with a heavily deflected effort.

They could easily have gone on to win by a bigger margin as Walker wasted a good chance and Shaun Lucien and Sam Merson both hit the woodwork.

Despite accepting his side were second best for much of the match, he was pleased with the manner in which they reacted to going behind.

“For the first 50 minutes we were second best all over the park, even though we had the best opportunity,” he said.

“We went 1-0 down and showed great character to come back from that. We got ahead and then they caused us a few problems.

“When we went 1-0 down we saw a reaction and saw what the players were made of. At 1-0 down we could have thrown in the towel and got beaten by three or four.”

On the back of Saturday’s win, City boasted a maximum of 18 points from 18 and Allinson was understandably pleased.

He also noted the manner in which St Albans are developing a knack of battling back from behind, which has helped them take wins from losing positions.

“I think it is the best start I have had as a manger in 27 years and it is very difficult to win six games on the trot,” he said.

“At Oxford we came from behind and against Wealdstone we did the same.

“It is one of those things where we have had six wins, but could have quite easily have come away with draws or defeats.”