After the impressive 1-1 draw at high-flying Newport in midweek, Terras’ boss Matty Hale called for a repeat show.

But he got the complete opposite from his players as the Saints, who entered the game with four defeats from four on the road, grabbed their first away points of the season in Blue Square South thanks to a Martin Slocombe own goal and a Solomon Shields effort.

The Terras made two enforced changes from the draw in South Wales. Ian Hutchinson came in for the unavailable Matt Bound while Jake Reid partnered Joe Arnold in attack in the absence of the injured Josh Klein-Davies.

Fit again Jordan Rose made a welcome return to the substitutes’ bench.

The game’s opening effort at goal came from the visitors though. A David Calbraith corner was met at the near post by Gary Cohen but the latter’s header drifted narrowly over the top.

At the other end, a vital interception from James Quilter, following Andy Harris’ right-sided delivery, prevented Andy Caton, on his home debut, enjoying a clean sight of goal.

Arnold looked set to register the match’s first shot on target after 30 rather tepid minutes, but after latching on to Reid’s flick-on the Terras’ striker tried to beat Mark Peters, instead of shooting first time, and the opportunity was gone.

With chances at a premium, both sides did their level best to hand opportunities out on a plate to their opponents.

First, Scott Brice’s loose ball fell at the feet of Daniel Chillingworth but the St Albans man, spotting Ryan Harrison off his line, chipped high.

Following that, a misplaced pass from Saints’ skipper Ryan Frater resulted in Reid heading Chris Allen’s cross well wide of goal.

The first period failed to see a single shot on target yet the away side were handed a half-time lead five minutes before the break.

Drew Roberts beat the offside trap before delivering a low centre from the left. Slocombe slid in with visiting winger Cohen but the ball ricocheted off the full-back and into the net.

After registering the afternoon’s first attempt on target – a weak effort from 25 yards easily held by Harrison in the 55th minute – Cohen was unlucky to see a header, from Adam Everitt’s delivery, fall on to the roof of the Terras’ net.

The St Albans man’s disappointment turned to joy five minutes later as he provided the assist for the visitors’ second goal.

Cohen beat Weymouth captain Kyle Critchell in the right corner, played the ball inside to Shields and the midfielder had time to set himself before beating Harrison with a low shot into the far corner.

Not even a second St Albans goal could spur the hosts into action and it was the visitors who again threatened next.

Roberts though, with just Harrison to beat, mustered a poor attempt and managed to injure himself in the process – with Craig Mortimer replacing him immediately after.

Weymouth’s afternoon took a turn for the worse with six minutes to go as Critchell had to be replaced after coming off worse in a 50-50 challenge.

The shot-shy Terras did manage a second attempt soon after but substitute Rose, who rose highest from Harris’ free-kick, was unable to keep his header down.

Harrison made his first real save of the game in the 86th minute, getting down well to push Chillingworth’s low drive around his near post.

Weymouth saved their best effort for last. However, after Frater’s slip, Matt Cooper saw his strike from eight yards thwarted by the legs of visiting keeper Paul Bastock.

And it was much too little, much too late from the Terras, who were poor to say the least and remain bottom of the table as a result.