By ADAM MAY

Chelmsford City 2 St Albans City 1

A FORTUITOUS goal from Joe Ward and an own goal by Darren Locke was enough for the Clarets to hold on and record the three points against St Albans.

Ward’s cross-cum-shot flashed across goal and into the bottom corner in the second minute of first-half stoppage time before Darren Locke turned Jack Bridge’s cross into his own net.

The St Albans centre-back made amends for his error by pulling one back shortly after, setting up a nervy end to the match in which the Saints came close to earning a share of the spoils.

City boss Mark Hawkes kept with the same startling line-up that beat Whitehawk 2-1 last weekend as Jack Bridge and Tom Lovelock, who both made their City debut in that victory, retained their places.

Winger Rohdell Gordon returned to the bench following a niggling injury, meaning that youngster Jake Gordon dropped out of the match day squad.