GRAHAM Turner is calling for a much-improved performance from his Hereford United side ahead of tomorrow's FA Trophy third round clash at Accrington Stanley.
The Bulls' director of football watched his charges slump to a 3-0 Nationwide Conference defeat at Burton Albion last Saturday and wants them to pull their socks up in Lancashire.
A changed Hereford team went some way to rectifying that result when they returned to Burton on Tuesday to reach the GLS Cup fourth round with a 4-2 extra-time victory, courtesy of two goals from Danny Carey-Bertram.
But, due to several first teamers sitting out the cup match, last Saturday's loss is still in Turner's mind.
He said: "What we are looking for is a vast improvement on what we put in against Burton and that means better application and hard work. I think that's what let us down."
That is not going to be an easy task though as Accrington Stanley have won two of their last three league fixtures to climb above Hereford into fourth place in the table.
The sides are level on points and
only a single goal separates them although the Bulls have a game in hand.
But the most recent meeting between them in October saw Accrington win 2-1 at the Interlink Express Stadium, including a goal in the first 42 seconds.
And all that could add up to a tricky afternoon for the Edgar Street side.
"It's going to be a difficult one," Turner said. "They are going well in the league.
"It's usually a good playing surface there so we'll try and pass it. We know it will be difficult, they are a good team. If we put in a decent performance we have got a very good chance of winning it.
"I think we played reasonably well up there after conceding a goal in the first minute. In between, I thought we played very well."
Turner hopes to name a strong side but will be without Rob Purdie (hamstring) and Andy Tretton (back). Forward Lee Mills (ankle) is a doubt.
Ex-Grimsby midfielder Ashley Hildred, 21, who featured against Burton in the GLS Cup, is unlikely to figure.
Tamika Mkandawire missed training yesterday but should be fit in time to line-up against Accrington.
Tuesday's two-goal hero Carey-Bertram also looks set to be demoted to the bench tomorrow.
But Turner did not rule out the possibility of him playing some part in Hereford's quest to avoid a third successive loss at this stage of the Trophy.
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