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However, the defence — which had performed so well until that point — suddenly went to sleep and allowed the Saints back into the game to claim two consolation goals in the last five minutes.
Afterwards, Brown said: “I felt what we needed to do today was claim three points, which we did successfully, but also to be a lot tighter at the back. At half-time I congratulated the defence for not giving them one real chance, while the midfield was solid without doing enough up front.
“Second half I got my wish up front but once the game opened up to 3-1, we needed to consolidate and keep the ball.
“Overall I'm disappointed because you don't win leagues or get promotion by conceding three goals away from home. I would like to see the video, it would be more like a horror video, to be honest.
“I'm very happy with the way the attack is looking but we need to do a lot more work defensively.”
Fielding the same side that started in the midweek loss at Weymouth, the Shots were the better team for much of the first 45 minutes, with the defence particularly impressing in the way they dealt with the home attack.
Lee Clarke was always lively for the home side but Rhys Day and Magnus Okuonghae were able to snuff out any threats with the minimum of fuss, leaving the midfield to take control of the middle of the park.
With Louie Soares a constant threat for Aldershot it only seemed a matter of time before the visitors took the lead and, after spurning a number of openings, they finally made the Saints pay right on the half-time whistle.
Ryan Williams, who was excellent all afternoon, picked the ball up on the left and played it into the box to the feet of Marcus Gayle, who held off the challenge of Ben Lewis and neatly flicked it back to the oncoming winger.
As Williams took the ball on, he was floored by a challenge from ‘keeper Paul Bastock and the penalty given, despite the vehement protestations of the home side. After a short wait, Darren Barnard coolly stepped up and blasted the spot kick home to give the hosts a half-time lead.
Just three minutes into the second period, however, St Albans were level after Ram Marwa equalised from five yards after pouncing on a loose ball in the box, which came after a bustling run from Clarke.
If the equaliser shook the Shots' confidence at all it certainly didn't show and they flew straight back at the hosts, regaining the lead nine minutes later through Williams.
Gayle, who put in his most impressive display to date, held the ball up on the right flank, before playing it back to Ryan Scott who proceeded to set John Grant free with a great through ball up the touchline.
The striker took his time and delivered a perfect cross right into the feet of Williams on the six yard box and the winger made no mistake.
The goal emboldened Brown's men and two minutes later they hit the back of the net again in glorious fashion.
Dean Smith charged up from the back and cut inside, before switching the ball back to the right flank to Soares, who whipped in a beautiful cross. John Grant, who was waiting 10 yards out, then stunned Clarence Park with a spectacular scissors kick, which saw the ball crash in off the right hand post to a deafening roar from the away fans.
With the result now not in question, the Shots played with a wonderful lack of inhibition, producing chance after chance and were rewarded for their adventure with another goal in the 73rd minute.
The home defence failed to deal with a long clearance from Nikki Bull and Scott brilliantly headed on a loose ball into the path of Grant, who raced into the box. The in-form forward took one look up, before rounding the keeper with ease and calmly curling it in from a tight angle to make it four.
Just when it looked like it couldn't get better, Gayle notched up the fifth with his first league goal for the club, heading home a deep cross from Soares after the former Barnet man had broken clear on the right once more.
With just three minutes remaining however, the home side were awarded a dubious penalty when Tom Davis weakly fell over the leg of Mark Pritchard and the midfielder slotted home the spot kick himself.
Soon after, the Saints claimed a third deep into injury time when Cracknell bundled the ball home from close range after the Aldershot defence failed to clear a simple cross into the area.
Despite this late rally, it was the visitors who left with the points after a brilliant attacking performance, although the defence will need to improve their concentration if they are to challenge for the Conference title this year.
With Marcus Gayle's influence becoming more and more pronounced as he finds his fitness, his manager paid tribute to the striker.
He said: “Marcus needed a goal today so it was great to see him hit the back of the net.
“It was a wonderful cross from Louie Soares and he met it to perfection to score and I was chuffed for him.
“I had a chat in the week with Marcus and said we needed a bit more out of him than the Weymouth game and he delivered.
“We're aware he has had three games in a short period so he's got a bit of a rest now, which can only be good for him.”
The boss also praised Ryan Scott for his performance in the second period after coming on for Molesley, who went off injured at the break with a back twinge.
“Mark had a problem most of the week but Ryan made a real difference when he came on with his surging runs — he did very well for us,” Brown added.
With thanks to the Aldershot News.