MATCH REPORT: Unlucky 13 for City of Peterborough as title race is blown wide open

The only time City had dropped points before this weekend was on September 24 when they hosted St Albans at Bretton Gate. It was 5-2 then and 3-1 on Saturday as City paid the penalty for a sluggish start.

City weren’t helped when key man Danny Sisson was forced to pull out of the game before the start and ace midfielder Alex Armstrong then pulled up injured just five minutes in.

These blows seemed to affect City who were quiet and dis-organised in the opening stages and the hosts took full advantage, scoring twice.

To their credit City rallied quickly and were back in the game before the break when Ross Ambler converted a fine cross from Ben Read.

St Albans played cannily in the second half. They sat with 11 men behind the ball - all of them in their own 25 at times - and tried to frustrate City while catching them in the breakaway.

One counter-attack led to a short corner which was converted and City failed to their own tally despite dominating possession. When they did find their way through a well-organised defence they found a goalkeeper in excellent form.

Teenager Arthur Franklin impressed for City on his first-team debut.

Leaders Old Loughtonians were without a fixture on Saturday so lead City by a point having played a game more. St Albans are three points further back but with a game in hand on City and a superior goal difference.