A Shaun Jeffers double brought St Albans City from a half-time deficit to a away win at Eastbourne Borough - but it left manager David Noble.

City had trailed to a Siya Ligendza goal in the first period of the National League South match at Priory Lane but Jeffers equalised a minute into the second half and then bagged the winner on 68, sweeping in Dom Hutchinson's cross from close range.

And the boss felt the desire in the second half, missing before the break, was key to the turnaround. 

"It was a really difficult game that we made hard work of," he said.

"It was a terrible first-half performance, it was awful.

"There was no energy, there was no enthusiasm, nobody wanted to affect the game and we were just static in everything that we did, with and without the ball.

"We were lucky to go in 1-0 down.

"We have got the resilience in our locker but the performance was chalk and cheese comparted to New Year's Day [when they came back against Hemel Hempstead Town] in terms of quality.

"There was no quality here, even in the second half, but we did have heart and desire in abundance, at least compared to the first half.

"We had a few words at half-time, not too kind ones and not too nice ones. The first half was painful to watch but to see the response, it tells you a lot about the boys.

"I didn't make any tactical changes, it wasn't the tactics that were causing the problems.

"It was the lack of effort if you like. That was the difference."

The three points has lifted Saints up to ninth in the table, level on points with the three above them but trailing on goal difference.

Crucially though it is five wins from the last six now in the league and it has sparked a reborn confidence after one win in seven from October and into December.

Noble said: "I'm exceptionally proud of the boys. The club was not an easy place to play football at times [during that run].

"To come through it in the way they have, and put this run of form together, they should be proud.

"But it means nothing if you don't carry it on. In football, it is always onto the next and we will be looking at Hampton & Richmond on Tuesday."