MANAGER Steve Riley claimed a controversial opening goal had helped St Albans City finally overcome his battling Bashley team.

Depleted Bash looked set to claim a draw against the play-off hopefuls until the hosts struck twice in the closing stages to seal a 2-0 win.

Riley insisted there were doubts over the Saints’ first goal as the linesman deemed that Sakho Bakare’s 73rd-minute header had crossed the line.

Bakare then turned provider for Simon Martin to settle the contest 10 minutes later.

Riley told the Echo: “It hit the post, went along the line and was cleared, but the linesman flagged.

“They had a spring in their step after that.”

Riley added: “We have had a really difficult run of games since Christmas and a lot of the players have played every game because of the depth of squad.

“A lot of players are carrying knocks and it showed a bit on Saturday.

“Both of our strikers were carrying knocks and it did not help the cause.

“But having said that, I thought it was a great effort against a side pushing for the play-offs.”

Bash: Kearn, Smith (Hill, 77), Strugnell, Middleton, Whitley, Casey, Gillespie (Foster, 79), Penny, Vokes, Gamble (Molyneux, 83), Oliver. Unused subs: Ferrett, Burgess (g/k).