Goals from Solomon Sambou and Khale Da Costa proved the difference as St Albans City eased to a 2-0 win over Dartford at Clarence Park.

Both strikes came in the second half, with Sambou opening the scoring just after the interval and Da Costa sealing the points with a fine free-kick late on.

The result saw St Albans bring a four game winless run to an end and climb to 16th in the National League South table.

They will look to build on the three points when they return to action with a visit to East Thurrock United on Saturday.

A first half of few chances saw Dartford go closest to breaking the deadlock as they managed to work space from a corner and saw a header come back off the bar.

When City did threaten in the opening half it was usually through summer arrival Ralston Gabriel who, despite some incisive dribbling, couldn't force the opener.

The second period saw the Saints come out of the traps at pace and they were ahead in the 48th minute.

While Sambou was the man to get his name on the scoresheet, his strike owed much to the work of Ben Wyatt.

The left-winger came in from his flank to pick the ball up centrally and drove forward from the halfway line.

Wyatt then slotted a pinpoint pass into the path of Sambou who sat the Dartford keeper down before lifting a shot high into the net.

The go-ahead goal had come out of the blue in truth but nonetheless allowed City to relax and they were rarely troubled by the visitors.

A 1-0 lead is always a risky one, however, and city pushed for a second goal to settle their nerves.

David Noble had been a threat in the centre of the park and worked the Dartford keeper with a free-kick from 25 yards as he looked to find the bottom corner.

His strike lacked the required pace to find the net, though, and Dartford remained in contention.

Any hope the away side had of taking anything from the game was eventually extinguished as the match ticked into stoppage time.

Noble picked the ball up in midfield and was brought down by a rash challenge from Lee Noble after exchanging passes with Da Costa.

The foul once again gave City the chance to take aim from a free-kick and on this occasion Da Costa won the argument over who would take.

His effort from 25 yards out was an impressive one and left the Dartford keeper with no chance as it beat his despairing dive to his right and found the very corner of the goal.

The goal sealed a vital win for Ian Allinson's side as they continue their efforts to get back on track after a slow start to the season.

They have won three of their eight league games so far this term but will be hopeful of adding a fourth against East Thurrock United in their next outing.

United occupy 20th position in the league and are just four points clear of basement club Weston-super-Mare.

Saturday's hosts did, however, manage to pick up victory in their last match as they beat Bath City 1-0 at home.