A first half goal by former Saint Elliot Buchanan clinched a fifth Herts Charity Cup success in six years for Rod Stringer’s Bishop’s Stortford as a patched up St Albans City side slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Tuesday’s final at Cheshunt’s Theobalds Lane home.

The game was low-key throughout and had it not been for the bitingly cold temperature it could easily have been mistaken for a pre-season friendly.

St Albans went into the game without a recognised striker in their starting XI but did cause some concern for the Bishop’s with a late flurry of attacks on Tom Lovelock’s goal.

City will not be too bothered in failing to add to their previous 26 successes in the Charity Cup, as all attention is focused on Saturday’s must win final league game of the season against Dartford at Clarence Park.

And with that in mind the Saints main objective was to avoid picking up any injuries at Cheshunt.

However, that objective may have been missed as Michael Thalassitis pulled up during the pre-match warm up and was replaced by Harry Anderson, who himself then failed to reappear for the second half due to a suspected slight strain.

City gave debuts to midfielder Lee Allinson and his former Biggleswade Town team-mate Andrew Iwediuno, while Danny Green came in for his first start of the season and younger brother Jack made his first appearance in the side for three months following injury.

Of City’s starting XI only Anderson, with two goals, had found the net this season prior to this game.

Stortford started brightly with a cross from the right by De’Reece Vanderhyde being taken off the toe of Buchanan by City defender Darren Locke.

City responded with a cross by Billy Gibson that fell to Anderson whose low shot was blocked.

Stortford’s Frankie Merrifield had the first on-target shot of the night and followed that by putting a free header wide when well placed.

City mustered one on-target shot for the night and that, a direct free kick from 20 yards by Billy Gibson, was comfortably gathered by Stortford keeper Lovelock.

The deciding goal came on 27 minutes when Corby Moore, from just inside his own half, sent an exquisite cushioned half-volley through the City defence for Merrifield to latch onto and cross low into the goalmouth for Buchanan to prod home his 33rd goal of the season.

Stortford continued to offer the greater threat with skipper Anthony Church firing over Joe Welch’s goal before the City keeper was tested by a firm effort from Robbie Willmott.

St Albans played a far better passing game after the interval but it was a half dominated by the two defences with goal chances a rarity.

In an effort to inject new life into the attack, Saints boss Ian Allinson sent on defenders Eddie Oshodi and James Kaloczi into attacking roles and it was former England C international Oshodi, four minutes from time, who had City’s best chance of the night.

Gibson crossed from the City left and Lovelock darted from his line to challenge Kaloczi in the air but failed to get a firm fist to the ball and was relieved to see Oshodi send a snap shot over the crossbar.

St Albans will find out on Thursday night whether or not they will go into Saturday’s game inside the bottom three in National League South, they currently sit one place above the drop zone.

If Havant & Waterlooville beat Truro City on Thursday – the side from Cornwall have already secured a play-off place – then St Albans will drop into the bottom.

Anything other than a win for Havant on Thursday will mean that a City win over a Dartford side that cannot now get into the play-offs would secure National League South football at Clarence Park for another season.

Kick off at Clarence Park on Saturday is at 3pm.

Bishop’s Stortford: T.Lovelock, D.Vanderhyde, B.Lawrence, A.Abdullahi, K.Lee, G.Allen (B.Fortnam-Tomlinson 46), C.Moore, A.Church, E.Buchanan, R.Wilmott, F.Merrifield (M.Suarez 79), unused subs: O.Humphrey, J.Ekim, A.Miller.

St Albans City: J.Welch, Sc Thomas (E.Oshodi 74), T.Bender, L.Allinson, D.Locke, A.Iwediuno, D.Green, A.Bangura, H.Anderson (L.Chappell 46), J.Green (J.Kaloczi 74), unused subs: S.Corcoran, L.Theophanous.

Goal: Buchanan 27.

Referee: Rob Smith (Letchworth).

Att: 211.