A goal 16 minutes from time was enough to finally give St Albans City a National League South victory.

Ken Charles stuck the decisive blow in the 1-0 win at Hampton & Richmond Borough, bringing success to beleaguered manager David Noble's side at the 11th time of asking.

It was enough to lift them off the bottom and above Weymouth and Aveley and there was a barbed reply to his critics after big celebrations on the final whistle.

"There was a bit of relief there," said Noble. "People will tell you that I am not a passionate man but you ask anyone who knows me or any of those players or anyone who knows me or anyone associated with this club who takes the time to come and speak to me.

"People can say whatever they like, I don't take advice from people who I wouldn't ask for their opinion.

"People like winning football matches, whether you're playing in them or watching them or you've got some links to the club, everyone who watches their team play football wants to win.

"I'm no different and of course, it is great to get that win and the boys, more than anyone, they deserve it.

"It's no so much about the formation and the tactics at times, it is about the heart and the desire and how much do you want to go and win.

"We showed that [at Hampton] and we were certainly on our mettle.

"We defended our goal with our lives. We've been guilty of giving teams goals in the past but we didn't do that here.

"The boys at the back deserve credit but that goes for all 11 men on that pitch. You defend together and you attack together and in both boxes this season we have been lacking.

"Here we got a clean sheet at one end, people were throwing their bodies on the line, I remember a Josh Castiglione block that looked a certain goal, or a certain shot on goal.

"Dion Woodman was defending crosses, Joe Partington was strapped up giving a Terry Butcher-esque performance.

"I could mention loads of people - Shaun's [Jeffers] play for Ken's goal, Makise's work-rate - it was a real warrior's performance from St Albans, one that I am proud."

Shaun Jeffers (right) played a big part in the winning St Albans City goal. Picture: JIM STANDENShaun Jeffers (right) played a big part in the winning St Albans City goal. Picture: JIM STANDEN (Image: Jim Standen) Next up is Welling United, the side currently occupying the one position outside of the relegation places.

Noble said: "Every game is a big game and Welling will be no different. We haven't had an easy game this season and as I always say, the league gets better every year.

"I'm a nine-year veteran at St Albans and from the minute I walked in, the league and everything around it is night and day to what it was then.

"This is the benchmark, maybe not the benchmark for our football but Hampton & Richmond are a good team, they pass the ball well.

"They maybe lacking a little bit of what we were - dominating games but not putting people to bed.

"We've been dominant in a lot of our games but if you are not clinical or you don't have people making the difference in the final third, you'll get punished.

"Football is a game of margins, it is decided in both boxes. It was really nice to see a solid display."