Ian Allinson says St Albans City only have themselves to blame after they allowed a two-goal lead to slip against Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.

Goals from Tom Gardiner and Zane Banton late in the first half gave the Saints a 2-0 advantage at the break, only for Yemi Odubade’s penalty and a late Sergio Torres effort to deny them all three points.

Allinson was understandably disappointed with his side’s failure to see out the game, and was critical of a second half showing which failed to reach the standards he expects.

“We have to take full responsibility for the way we played in the second half. I have just said to the players that our ball retention, movement and work rate was not good enough in the second half,” a disgruntled Allinson said.

“We have got to look at where we are going wrong in terms of the defensive side of things. We could have quite easily had five or six today and so could they, so is the game too open?

“The last goal, Carlie Walker has the ball in the corner and needs to keep it there. He has put a cross straight into the keeper’s hands and they have gone up the other end.

“If we don’t do the good things correctly, you know you will get punished in this league and that has happened today.”

The Saints enjoyed the better of the first half and created a number of fine chances, but it still took until the final minute of the half to score the go ahead goal.

The goal came from a corner as Gardiner rose to head home with a looping effort.

It was two just 19 seconds after the restart after Banton raced clear down the left, before cutting inside and scoring at the near post.

While satisfied with the first half showing, Allinson was critical of his side’s finishing, which saw them spurn a number of opportunities.

“We were comfortable in the first half going in with a 2-0 lead and missed the other one on ones where the keeper has made good saves to stop us going 1-0 or 2-0 up early on,” he said.

“We have got the goals before half-time and from there we have got to go on and see the game out and we weren’t good enough to do that.

“We have rushed things in the second half and have got done.”

The result ends a run of two defeats on the spin for City and leaves them sixth in the National League South table, two points behind leaders Chelmsford City.

At the time of going to press Allinson’s side were preparing to host Havant & Waterlooville at Clarence Park.

That game is followed by an away day against Whitehawk on Saturday where City will be confident of claiming victory.

Whitehawk are rooted to the foot of the table after a torrid start to the season which has seen then concede 34 goals in just 10 games.

They are without a win this term and have picked up only two points.