Movies tell you that the hero stops the self-destruct at the last possible moment - for St Albans City that hero was Michael Johnson and the time was five minutes into stoppage time.

Twenty minutes earlier, danger was not on the radar after three goals in 10 minutes.

Leading 3-1 at home to Bath City, they looked to be heading to a comfortable victory, their second in the National League South this season.

That eventually came 3-2 but only after Bath had clawed one back, laid siege to the goal in the final 10 minutes, and had a late penalty saved by the Saints keeper.

It was emotion that manager David Noble could have done without.

Michael Johnson celebrates with the St Albans City fans. Picture: JIM STANDENMichael Johnson celebrates with the St Albans City fans. Picture: JIM STANDEN (Image: Jim Standen) He said: "I don't think I've been that het up in a football match as I was in the last 10 minutes.

"Stressful was an understatement. Some of the things I was watching were hard to take and then when we gave that penalty away and it looks like we've thrown it away, it was tough.

"But it is an unbelievable save from [Michael Johnson] to get us those three points that we were desperate to throw away.

"He has a feeling with players, he is a penalty expert if you like, that's certainly his niche and he's proved it again."

Earlier in the afternoon there had been plenty to be happy with, and there was fortune too with two of the home goals coming via Bath players, all after Shaun Jeffers had dragged them level.

"[Matt Lench] is claiming one but it clips off the defender," said Noble.

"But you think about all the unfortunate breaks and decisions that have gone against us, you get the lead by two own goals.

"But then we didn't even enjoy that lead for any point of time.

"We didn't give them a goal, the lad has taken it well, but from our point of view it is a soft second goal.

"And then madness ensues. It was like we had this down as a draw on the coupon and we were trying to get it. It was crazy.

"The performance and chances we had, their keeper has made a couple of unbelievable saves, but it is another first-half of domination sort of.

"The two or three times they go up our end, we concede. We have to be more ruthless defensively. You have to be better.

"You have to be closer to the cross, one of them was a throw-in and you have a chance to get set, you have to be more switched on.

"It wasn't difficult for that first goal but the first 60 minutes was exceptional and we felt we could relax.

"But no."

This result now makes it seven points from the last 12 available, and has slowly started lifting Saints towards safety.

"The fans don't put me under pressure, I put myself under pressure," said Noble.

"I've never witnessed a period like this in 26 years of football. It's not been like we're being pumped but it's just those details.

"We have to start turning the performances into wins, we have to.

"This is a start."