St Albans City claim 3-0 win at Needham Market in FA Cup

Goals from Gio Rasulo and a double for Shaun Jeffers ensured a safe 3-0 passage through to the third qualifying round at Needham Market of the National League North.

The draw has now pitted them away to either Isthmian League Division One North Gorleston, two levels below Saints, or Barking of the Essex Senior League, three steps down the pyramid.

They drew their game 2-2 and replay on Tuesday.

Gio Rasulo (right) scored St Albans City's first but skipper Joe Partington went off injured. Picture: JIM STANDEN (Image: Jim Standen)

Saturday's win also temporarily hides the knowledge of two points from eight National League South games, with manager David Noble hoping it ends the bad run completely.

He said: "It's nice to get the first win and the FA Cup is a special competition. We want to have a good run, every year you set out to do that as it brings magic this competition.

"I'm delighted to get the win and especially with a clean sheet and three goals.

"It's a lot better feeling then previously.

"We go into every game wanting to win. Previously we haven't been able to put the finer details onto the performances but we did at Needham.

"We got rewarded for some of the great play and for people wanting to go and score goals.

"If you are not a threat going forward, your only one mistake away from losing the game, which is how many of our games have gone."

That willingness to get forward with purpose was key to the success at the National League North side.

Noble said: "The players enjoy all the systems but whatever system you play, you have to have people affecting the game and perhaps we haven't been getting the result even with recent performances because we're not affecting the final third enough.

"There has not been enough shots or enough crosses or enough runners. Here we certainly had that and it resulted in three goals which is very pleasing.

"You can't play it forward if nobody is running. By doing that you get into space behind that the defenders are leaving.

"We had that a little bit more."

And while focus has to be on the league next, and a trip to Torquay United, Noble is not taking the FA Cup for granted, knowing exactly what kind of momentum it could bring.

He said: "I've had two good runs with St Albans, not including the other ones I've had in my professional career.

"My first season we played Carlisle at a packed-out Clarence Park and then everyone remembers Forest Green Rovers.

"They were great occasions because this cup is special.

"We're not going to make it to the final but you can create mini cup finals for yourself, something you'll remember for the rest of your career.

"You obviously have to win games to create those and we've done that."