St Albans City and Worthing play out 4-4 draw - Noble reacts

The boss had to check his heartbeat in a crazy game at Worthing, one that swung back and forth before finishing 4-4, but he was pleased to see Saints get some reward.

Now he wants more.

George Hoddle got the third for St Albans City. Picture: SACFC (Image: St Albans City Football Club)

"We had an unbelievable year last year," said the manager. "Should we do that every year? I am trying my best to get us there and there isn't a person working harder than me, believe me.

"I want to win matches for this club. Last year we were on the gravy train, this year is difficult.

"There's not an easy game at this level. The league as a whole, the standard gets better year in, year out.

"It's going to take everyone sticking together and pulling in the same direction - on the field, in the dugout and in the stands.

"We threw away a 2-0 lead but the fans didn't stop singing. It makes a big difference."

He did though hint that one or two of his squad still need to learn that, especially some of the injured ones.

Noble said: "Are people doing everything they can to be right?

"We're a part-time club but you have to have a full-time mentality as a player.

"If you are going to play football at this level, put your life and soul into it for the short time you have it, because it comes and goes quickly.

"Why not give yourself the best opportunity to be the best you can be?"

One person though who that does not apply to is Zane Banton.

The forward has been out injured since the start of August but was warming-up prior to the clash at Woodside Road and is close to a full return.

Noble said: "Zane has been joining in, he had one session on Thursday.

"I really want to put him straight back in but I know that is not the right thing to do, as much as we need him.

"He is a player who takes the ball in any position, who looks after it and who will wriggle away from pressure.

"He is just a person who wants to play football and has an enthusiasm.

"The tougher it gets, the harder he works and he is close. I am excited to have Zane back."

As for the match itself, Noble was almost lost for words.

Saints went two-up in 10 minutes through Gio Rasulo and Shaun Jeffers before coughing up three goals in 18 first-half minutes.

George Hoddle equalised in the second half only for Ricky Aguiar to put Worthing back in front.

However, Ibby Akanbi levelled on 89 minutes for the point.

"These sort of games are not good for your heart," said Noble.

"It's hard to be disappointed, but I am a little bit with three of the goals conceded.

"They are a very good side, make no bones about it, on and off the ball.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game. You have to be mentally on it, physically too for 100 minutes.

"We were in spells, but not for the 100 minutes.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start but then we do our conceded and to be 3-2 down at half-time, especially with the manner of two of the goals.

"The first was a lovely goal from Worthing, from one side to the other and then in behind.

"But we didn't lay a glove on them and then the next two goals were hard to take.

"It wasn't so much off the ball that hurt me in the first half, it was us on the ball.

"If you are going to play in a team that passes it, you've got to want to get on the ball, you've got to want to be involved and make angles.

"And when you get it, you have to look after it, especially against a team that will press you, you won't have long on the ball.

"For the last 20 minutes of the first half, we were found wanting a little bit.

"So to come out and show the fight we did and get a result in the end, it was [good].

"If you look at the game as a whole, then Worthing had a lot of the ball definitely, but we had a lot of chances.

"We hurt them and created scoring opportunities.

"It's definitely a positive result. It's not a defeat for one and it is a point against a really good side."