It was a hard-fought contest but St Albans City manager David Howell believes his side were “worthy winners” in their 2-1 victory over Kettering Town at Clarence Park on Saturday.

Two goals from striker Lewis Toomey proved enough for the Saints , despite the visitors pushing forward in the closing stages after Jamie Griffiths had pulled one back for the Poppies.

While Howell acknowledged the Saints did come under late pressure, he felt his side were comfortable throughout the match.

He said: “I thought we were worthy winners and, in the end, comfortable winners. However, we tried to make a comfortable situation a tense one.

“I think we are trying to bring the crowds in to Clarence Park by keeping the fans on the edge of their seats until the final minute but it is not doing my heart any good.

“But we were comfortable and even when they scored the goal we had another great chance to put the game to bed.”

Toomey’s brace takes his tally this season to eight but the goals were his first in open play since the 4-0 victory against Frome Town on August 25.

Howell was pleased to see the striker back on the scoresheet and stated Toomey was “brilliant throughout.”

“He did look full of confidence again. His ball retention wasn’t the best in the first half but his movement, honesty and keenness to put the defenders under pressure was brilliant throughout,” the Saints boss explained.

“I thought he got his hat-trick but he was flagged offside. I’m not too sure how right that decision might have been keeping in mind he flagged early and the referee overruled it but there you go.”

Due to injuries, the Saints boss had to make a few changes to his side. Matt Taylor was handed his first start for the club and Howell believes he deserved his chance in the first team.

“I felt he has been doing well, he has progressed gradually,” the manager said. “He has been in and around the first team occasionally and I felt that he did well in the reserves last week against Dulwich (Hamlet) so I had to give him a chance and see if he could take the opportunity.”

Reserves striker Jonathan Constant also made an appearance, coming off the bench with 15 minutes remaining.

The forward has netted five times for the second string this season and Howell believes he is a player who can make an impact in the first team.

The Saints boss said: “He can’t stop scoring (for the reserves). I had him at Harrow and whether he is in the first team or reserves he is a player who will always get a chance.

“He is a player who, given the right kind of development and gradual exposure to the first team, the fans will probably see a lot more of.”

There was just under 500 supporters at Clarence Park to see the victory and Howell admits it is his job to ensure the home crowd continues to grow.

“I think the St Albans City supporters have been used to coming back, expecting something, only to then be disappointed,” he said.

“So it is my job to try and make sure that when they do come back that they are not disappointed and they see a side which is worthy of their support.

“I know the numbers can increase and they will increase but we have got to keep doing what we are doing on the football pitch.”