BILLERICAY Town brought the curtain down on 2018 by suffering a fourth defeat on the spin.

Adam Coombes' spectacular goal proved not to be enough as a last gasp effort allowed St Albans City to seal a 2-1 win.

And although Dean Brennan was disappointed with the result and Ross Lafayette seeing red late on, the Billericay boss was pleased to see an improved performance.

"I thought it was a fighting performance from us," said Brennan.

"Technically, we were excellent and we moved the ball really well at times.

"We got ourselves into some fantastic positions and I thought we were the better side throughout the whole game.

"They scored a fantastic goal - it was a great volley from a corner. You've just got to hold your hands up sometimes and say 'that was a fantastic strike'.

"Our goalkeeper (Alan Julian) made one save all afternoon and we have come away with a defeat, so it is a bit heartbreaking.

"But, in this business, it can be cruel.

"We had a man sent off when it should have been a yellow card and we felt they should have had two red cards for late tackles from behind. They were high, aggressive and out of control.

"But I can't blame referees and go on about other people all the time.

"The result is the result, but I was happy with the players' attitude because they worked their socks off and it was a much-improved performance.

"The supporters were fantastic and got right behind us."

St Albans broke the deadlock with 19 minutes on the clock as Tom Bender's thunderous volley flew into the back of the net.

Billericay pushed for a leveller before the break, but Lafayette was denied from point blank range.

However, Town restored parity thanks to Coombes' overhead kick nine minutes after the interval.

Coombes and Moses Emmanuel both went close before Lafayette was shown a straight red card for a late tackle after 89 minutes.

And St Albans stole all three points with Sam Merson netting in the fourth minute of injury time.

Billericay Town: Julian, Kizzi, Kennedy, Waldren, Rooney, Potter, Lafayette, Clifford, Emmanuel (Murrell-Williamson 71), Coombes, Howells (Aransibia 71)