HEREFORD'S disappointing run goes on after early and late goals at Accrington Stanley condemned them to their first ever defeat in a live televised Nationwide Conference match.

The Bulls, despite producing a much improved display over their dismal showing at Dagenham last week, still slumped 2-1, their second successive league defeat.

It is the first time they have suffered such a fate since April 2003.

Defensive slackness once again cost them dear as Paul Mullin pounced twice to end the home side's own poor sequence of three successive defeats.

Hereford reverted to a 4-4-2 system with a first start of the season for Rob Purdie and a recall after injury for right-back Ryan Green.

But the Bulls could hardly have made a worse start when Mike Flynn's long throw found Lutel James unmarked in the penalty area.

James passed to Lee McEvilly and though Jonathan Gould produced a superb reflex save, the ball fell to Mullin who eagerly slammed it home after just 42 seconds.

Hereford, though, were almost back on level terms inside three minutes when David Brown's header from Graham Hyde's cross was arrowing into the top corner until debutant goalkeeper Danny Allcock made a brilliant save.

But Accrington, making good use of a gusty wind, continued to threaten and it took a fine tackle from Tony James to deny Mullin.

Ian Craney also produced a couple of dangerous efforts before Hereford, growing in strength slowly but surely, levelled with an excellent goal on 28 minutes.

Green's long ball was headed down to Danny Williams by Lee Mills and the midfielder's subtle pass was deftly controlled by Brown who then drilled a shot into the corner of the net.

Purdie flashed a shot from 20 yards just wide but it took a good save by Gould from Jonathan Smith to keep the scores level on the stroke of half-time.

With the wind behind them in the second period, Hereford dominated possession without giving Allcock serious cause for concern.

Brown, Craig Stanley and Williams all sent shots just off target but the game seemed destined for a draw until substitute Rory Prendergast made a crucial intervention four minutes from the end.

The winger slipped a neat pass inside to Craney and with James caught out of position, the ball reached Mullin who made no mistake.

Hereford: Gould 7, Green 6, Tretton 7, James 6, *Travis 8, Williams 5 (Stansfield 89), Hyde 6, Stanley 5, Purdie 6 (Carey-Bertram 78), Mills 6, Brown 6. Subs not used: Scott, Smith, Robinson.

Attendance: 1,481.