Intermittent showers from a heavy grey sky and a strong wind swirling in all directions ruined St Albans City’s Blue Square South clash with Braintree Town on Saturday but the storms were washed away by two stupendous goals late in the day that resulted in a just 1-1 draw.

City looked on course for their second win in five days when midfielder Danny Johnson, making his home debut as a second half substitute, jinked his way through a posse of Town defenders on the edge of the penalty area on 74 minutes before shooting left-footed to the right of the diving Iron goalkeeper Dave Blackmore.

But Braintree were not to be outdone in the spectacular goals stakes and drew level on 85 minutes when George Purcell ran across the Saints 18-yard line and laid the ball off for Town skipper Mark Jones to fire a magnificent drive, aided by the strong wind behind it, high into the roof of the City goal.

Saints manager Steve Castle’s plans to field an unchanged side from the one that recorded a notable victory at Woking in midweek were shot down when central defender Justin Clayton picked up an injury during training.

Assistant manager Mark Peters stepped in to fill the void and formed his customary solid partnership with club captain Ryan Frater. Lamine Sagna, Tuesday’s goal scoring hero at Woking, had to be content with a place on the substitutes bench.

Braintree boss Robbie Garvey made four changes from the Iron side that last played a league match two weeks earlier.

The opening 45 minutes could be described as nothing better than uninspiring as the two sides battled against the elements. Attacking the York Road goal during the first half City struggled not to over-hit through balls as the wind simply carried the sphere out of play.

After the interval City faced the same problem that Braintree had earlier in the day as the ball held up when kicked high into the swirling air.

City’s bid to complete a fourth successive match without defeat for the first time since March almost got off to the perfect start when Gary Cohen crossed from the City right only for the ball to glance off Drew Roberts head in front of the goal and sail wide of the target.

With Godfrey Poku once again dominating the midfield City appeared the more cohesive unit although it was an intercepted cross-field pass by the Saints Player of the Month for October that set Braintree on the way to their first attempt on goal.

The ball was quickly played through the middle to new signing Alex Rhodes, from Oxford United, but his effort from 25 yards went comfortably wide. Rhodes had a chance to redeem himself later in the half but as James Quilter slid in the strikers shot spooned high over the home goal.

Whilst the effort put in both sides could not be faulted it was clear that the conditions were having a major impact on events but there was never the suggestion that referee Wes Linden, making his first appearance at the Park, should call a halt to proceedings.

Effort remained high after the interval with Johnson typifying the determination to beat the elements as he battled his way towards the visitors goal before being sent crashing to the sodden turf by Paul Goodacre, the Iron defender was booked for his troubles.

Roberts tapped the free kick short to Frater whose wayward shot merely knocked the last remaining leaves from an unsuspecting nearby tree.

The eagerly anticipated home debut of Sagna came on 58 minutes as Alex Bailey was stood down. The Senegalese striker may be over exuberant on the ball at times but he certainly knows how to be in the right place when the ball is inside the penalty area.

Braintree, looking to extend their unbeaten run at Clarence Park to a sixth match, nearly opened the scoring on the hour when leading scorer Purcell seized possession from Peters and raced down the left flank before cutting into the penalty area and driving his shot against Paul Bastock’s left hand upright.

After striking the woodwork the ball flashed across the goal and eventually ran out for a City throw-in.

Seven minutes later Purcell again went close with a well-stuck free kick that went wide of the City defensive wall and just beyond Bastock’s right hand post.

On 71 minutes Purcell forced Bastock into the first save of the day for either keeper when shooting low to the right of the City custodian.

Just when it appeared that Clarence Park would see its first goalless match since February Johnson, in the 74th minute, conjured up a memorable goal.

Sagna lost control as he attempted to run through the heart of the Iron defence, the ball was collected by Johnson who weaved a path into the penalty area before opening his account from 16 yards.

City looked odds on to secure victory when a Roberts corner was flicked on at the near post to Sagna who was in the process of walking the ball into the net when Jones whipped it from his toes right on the goalline.

On 85 minutes Jones showed just how crucial his goalline clearance had been when he drove a stunning equaliser past Bastock who claimed the ball swerved wickedly in the wind en route to the back of the goal.

In the limited time remaining Braintree pushed hard for the winner, gaining three corners – their first of the match - in quick succession.

Substitute Tom Bruno curled the second corner dangerously under the City crossbar but Bastock was equal to the task and clawed the ball away, when it was returned into the box Bruno miscued badly and screwed the ball wide.

Referee Linden played more than eight minutes of added time. Much of this time was spent in conversation with his assistant Luis Pinto Nunes before dismissing Paul Goodacre with a second yellow card following an altercation at a free kick with Quilter who was also cautioned.

The much delayed free kick, taken by Bruno, went untouched across the face of the goal City and with it the draw was guaranteed.

St Albans are without a midweek fixture but return to action at Woking in the FA Trophy next Saturday without their suspended goalkeeper Paul Bastock, Michael Emery is expected to stand in.

James Fisher is set for a recall after completing his two-match ban and the Saints are hopeful that Southend United will also allow Justin Clayton to play.

St Albans City: P.Bastock, J.Quilter, P.Smith, G.Poku, M.Peters, R.Frater, A.Bailey (L.Sagna 58), S.Shields (D.Johnson 46), G.Cohen, D.Roberts, J.O’Donnell, subs; R.Dedman, C.Baker, M.Emery.

Braintree Town: D.Blackmore, R.Peters, M.Jones, J.Bruce, P.Goodacre, P.Starkey (T.Bruno 80), J.Mingle, M.Game, G.Purcell, M.Power (S.Marks 52), A.Rhodes (L.Duncan 90), subs; R.Calliste, N.McDonald.

Goals: 1-0 Johnson 74, 1-1 Jones 85.

Booked: R.Peters, Cohen, Poku, Quilter.

Dismissed: Goodacre.

Referee: Wes Linden (Northwood).

Att: 344.