BASINGSTOKE Town's ex-Eastleigh marksman Craig McAllister reigns supreme as the Ryman Premier Division's top scorer after burying his 21st goal of the season in league and cup.

His latest masterpiece came at the Camrose Ground on Saturday where fifth-place Stoke detrailed St Albans City's title train with a fine 3-1 victory.

Ernie Howe's side haven't lost a home league game since back in September, but they found City a hard nut to crack in a very tight game.

The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute when Efan Elad, having his best game for the club, played a fine ball through to Neville Roach, who took it wide before beating the keeper with a low cross-shot.

St Albans levelled five minutes into the second half through centre-half Derek Brown, but more good play from Elad set up Basingstoke's second in the 70th minute. His slick pass found Roach, whose low centre had the City defence in tatters and McAllister was lurking to side-foot home from three yards.

Just to rub salt in the City wounds, Stoke added a third in stoppage time when Max Rooke's shot was parried by keeper Richard Wilmot and ex-Reading striker Roach pounced on the rebound.

l Aldershot extended their lead at the top of the table to five points by seeing off second-placed Purfleet 1-0 at the Recreation Ground.

Their quickfire fifth-minute winner came courtesy of two new loan players - a free kick from QPR's Ben Walsh spilled by the keeper, gifting Watford's Matthew Langston a close-range finish.

Purfleet did Shots a favour by missing a penalty, but the down side for the Hampshire side was having defender Dominic Sterling sent off for the second time in five days.