STRIKER David Brown reckons Hereford United would have 'walked the title' this season had they reproduced the stupendous form shown in their last campaign.

The 26-year-old forward will be desperate to help his side at Underhill today as the Bulls look to close a mammoth 19-point deficit on Nationwide Conference pace-setters Barnet.

Brown believes the North London outfit have one hand on the championship as they also hold a healthy 15-point advantage on their nearest challengers, Aldershot Town.

However, the ex-Manchester United trainee claims Barnet would be behind Hereford in the league's pecking order had the Bulls repeated their dazzling 2003/04 performances.

United racked up a massive 91 points last season but were pipped to the title by Chester.

"It's a shame that we did not have last year this year", explained Brown. "Because I'm sure if that was the case then we'd have walked the league.

"But it's been difficult for us this year. It's shown that with just one team running away

with it. I don't know whether the standard is not as good this year or whether people have raised their standards a little more. There are definitely more professional clubs now in the Conference than at any time before.

"Barnet have been fantastic this season. They have done better than I expected. They have been the pace-setters for much of the season and others have struggled to catch up.

"Saying that, we played Barnet at home earlier this season and ended up drawing 1-1 when we should have beaten them."

Brown added: "Barnet are 19 points ahead of us. For us, it's making sure we end up in the play-offs. That's the main thing.

"I don't think the pressure is on us to beat them. It is on Barnet as they are leading the Conference and everybody is chasing after them. They are expected now to win week-in-week-out and that could have an effect.

"We are quite confident after our last couple of games. It was important we beat Aldershot a fortnight ago because they had been playing well and it kept us in there."