Blues beaten late on by Saints

Pre-season friendly: Dunstable Town 3 St Albans 4
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Dunstable Town suffered a late, late defeat in their friendly against National League South opponents St Albans on Thursday night, although produced a hugely encouraging display, fighting back from 3-1 down at one stage.

The hosts included Louis Strafford, Ashton Grant, John Sonuga, Shane Bush, Wilson Ferrera and Taishan Griffiths who had left Dunstable for spells with AFC Dunstable and Bedford Town.

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An early move saw the impressive Bush essay a header which was wide, but Gary Wharton and Alex Cathline showed a useful eagerness in going forward, with a combination of strength and pace.

Grant latched on to a forward ball and it looked a definite chance until an expert tackle from Andy Iwediuno denied him, as the visitors broke with pace to move ahead, with Matt Ball converting.

The visitors went close when Louis Pharious drew a good save from Jack Smith, before the impressive Cathline tested James Russell.

Blues’ free kicks were always a threat and it was from a set-piece they levelled just before half time, when Bush headed beyond Russell to make it 1-1.

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Saints continued to press, with Pharious again coming perilously close to restoring the lead, while Sean Lucian’s header was saved by Smith.

After the break, Dunstable skipper Adam Pepera denied Junior Morias, but Ball put the visitors back in front with an exquisite finish into the bottom corner.

Smith saved well from Morias, although he was beaten on 70 minutes by a lovely free kick from Matt Wycherlow.

However, Dunstable showed plenty of spirit and sub Gedeon Okito scampered away on the left wing as his cross was converted at full stretch by Cash.

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With 10 minutes to go, Blues were level as Okito was fouled in the box for a penalty that was converted by Lewis Wilson.

Just when it looked like Town had done enough for a draw, Morias nipped in smartly to restore the Saints lead with what proved to be the winner.

Dunstable host Egham Town of the Southern League Central Division on Saturday at 1pm, with the Blues then playing Oxford City on Tuesday.

Dunstable: Jack Smith, Louis Strafford, Luis Fernandes, Ashton Grant, John Sonuga, Adam Pepera, Gary Wharton, David Longe-King, Alex Cathline, Shane Bush, Jack Hutchinson.

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Substitutes: Taishan Griffith, Zack Reynolds, David Keenleyside, Gedeon Okito, Cash, Lewis Wilson, Adam Moussi.

St Albans: James Russell, Lee Chappell, Tom Bender, Scott Thomas, Josh hill, Andy Iwediuno, Sean Lucian, Stephen Ngamvoulou, Louis Phariopus, Junior Morais, Matt Ball.