Ian Allinson praised an improved second half performance as St Albans City held Wealdstone to a goalless draw at Clarence Park.

The Saints struggled to make an impression before the break but a half-time team talk saw them go close on a number of occasions after the interval.

While a second 0-0 draw on the spin pleased Allinson, the City manager was still left with areas of concern from his side’s display.

“Overall I am pleased but there is lots we can work on, lots we can improve and we have to do that over the next couple of weeks,” Allinson said.

“We really didn’t do very well in the first half and we told the players at half-time to be a little more expressive and take more chances on the ball.

“I felt we got that in the second half and I am disappointed we have not come away with the three points and a clean sheet against what is a really good side.”

The draw leaves City 13th in the National League South table after a run of five games without a win and they are four points adrift of the play-off places.

City will now look ahead to the festive period which is, as ever, a hectic time of the season which can help define the remainder of the campaign.

The Saints don’t play this weekend before returning to action against Eastbourne Borough on the road next Saturday.

Borough are a place below the Saints in the league having played a game more than the Clarence Park club.

Allinson is aware of the difficulties which December throws up and is going into the Christmas period with his eyes wide open.

He will look to add strength in depth to his squad with the potential signing of new players and will also look to change the way in which his side plays.

“We have another break, which isn’t ideal, then we go into what will be a really tough Christmas period,” he said.

“We will play six times in the space of a couple of weeks. We will need to bring some players in for that, just to make us a little bit stronger.

“I think teams have maybe sussed us out a little bit compared to how we played in the early part of the season and we are not surprising teams the way we did.”

City follow their meeting with Eastbourne Borough with a Boxing Day clash against local rivals Hemel Hempstead which is likely to attract a big crowd at Clarence Park.