ST Albans City came from two goals behind to record a 3-2 win over Weston-Super-Mare in a pulsating National League South clash on Saturday.

A nightmare start saw goals from George Nurse and Jarrad Welch put City two adrift with only 23 minutes played.

However, Zane Banton and Ralston Gabriel hit back to level matters before the break and the former completed the turnaround 18 minutes from time.

The enthralling victory left City eighth in the table ahead of a meeting with Hampton & Richmond Borough after of the time of going to press on Tuesday.

City thought they had taken the lead with just five minutes on the clock when David Moyo headed the ball down for Gabriel to score.

His celebrations were cut short by the linesman's flag, however, and City soon found themselves trailing to add insult to injury.

The opening goal came after some fine link up play put left-back Nurse in on the flank and he drilled a rasping strike across goal and into the bottom corner.

The Saints' troubles doubled soon after the breakthrough when they failed to deal with a cross-field pass and Welch profited with a calm finish.

City reacted well to the double disappointment and were back within one goal in the 26th minute as Banton fired home from 20 yards.

The home side saw their lead wiped out before the break when Gabriel latched onto Dean Snedker's long ball forward and dinked the ball over the onrushing Super-Mare keeper.

The rapid change in fortunes sent City into the break in high spirits and they carried that spirit into the second period.

There new found confidence was almost rewarded five minutes after the restart when the ever-effective Moyo saw a driven shot cleared off the line.

The hosts were still carrying a threat of their own and City had Snedker to thank for keeping the scores level.

The stopper was at his very best to deny Eli Phipps twice in the space of 30 seconds.

Phipps had posed a considerable danger throughout, but was wasteful when presented with a golden chance to put his side ahead 20 minutes into the second half.

A free-flowing team move saw Weston-Super-Mare break through the St Albans defence and leave Phipps with the goal at his mercy, but he somehow managed to hit the bar.

The miss would prove to be pivotal as City pushed on and struck a decisive blow soon after when Banton completed his brace.

Banton made no mistake as he controlled and fired a low finish home after Tom Bender had slid a perfectly weighted pass into his path.

Gabriel could have made matters even more comfortable as the game reached its close when he got up well to head at goal, but saw his effort deflect wide.

The missed chance proved to be little more than academic in the end and City held out to record an impressive comeback victory.

Having suffered their fist league defeat of the season in a 2-1 loss at Woking last Tuesday, the victory provided the perfect antidote.

Saturday sees City hit the road again when they take on Oxford City at Court Place Farm