St Albans City were defeated this afternoon (March 7) against Dartford in the Vanarama National League South, despite going ahead in the first half thanks to a penalty from Joe Iaciofano.
The Saints now find themselves in the relegation zone on goal difference.
It was always going to be a tough task against play-off hopefuls Datford, and the away side started off the better team Jack Jebb’s free kick forced a brilliant save by Dean Snedker.
Despite being on the back foot for the opening 20 minutes, St Albans were awarded a penalty not long after due to a Dartford defender handballing in the box.
Joe Iaciofano stepped up and fired the penalty beyond the goalkeeper to give the Saints the lead.
The lead didn’t last long though, and despite Snedker parrying the initial effort, Liam Nash was there to slot the rebound into the net.
On the 50th minute, it was Dartford’s turn for a penalty and Elliott Romain was brought down in the box.
Darren McQueen took the penalty brilliantly well and stuck the ball beyond Snedker and into the top left corner of the net.
Iaciofano thought he should have had a second penalty on the 68th minute after he went down under a lot of pressure from Dartford’s defence, but the referee adjudged the forward to have dived.
St Albans were inches away from going level on the 82nd minute after Munashe Sundire beat the goalkeeper but not the post.
The away side held on to all three points in the end and left the Saints empty handed.
It is still all to play for at the bottom of the National League South, with just three points separating St Albans in 21st place, and Billericay Town in 15th.
All games from now until the end of the season will be big for St Albans, but in particular next week as they travel to Braintree Town, who are just a point above them.
Picture courtesy of St Albans City FC
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