Tuesday, May 1, 2001

IAN Rodgerson's last minute winner ended the promotion hopes of former Bulls' manager Colin Addison and his Yeovil team as Hereford United grabbed a 3-2 win at Huish Park last night.

The home side needed to avoid defeat to take the Con-ference title race into the final day of the season, but Rodger-son struck his third goal in as many games deep into injury time to deny Yeovil promotion.

Rodgerson scored from close range after the busy Rob Elmes had headed Gavin Williams' right-wing free-kick back across goal.

Yeovil had numerous chances to win the game but were denied on several occasions by the excellent United goalkeeper Scott Cooksey.

But he had no chance of stopping the opening goal, which came from Nick Crittenden after 12 minutes.

Two minutes later Hereford drew level when Elmes beat former Bulls keeper Tony Pennock with a header.

Both sides had several chances to take the lead, before Hereford eventually edged in front six minutes into the second period.

The goal came from an unlikely source. John Snape lobbed Pennock to score his second goal of the season, following Matt Clarke's cross.

Seven minutes later Town drew level when David Piper headed home Simon Betts' left-wing cross.

Pennock kept out Snape's volley and Cooksey denied Barrington Belgrave twice while substitute Warren Patmore, almost scored with his first touch.

With Yeovil throwing more and more bodies forward in search of a third goal, Rodgerson pounced two minutes into stoppage time to give Hereford's travelling fans some cheer and condemn Yeovil to another season in non-league football.

The end of the game was ruined by violent scenes as Yeovil fans threw stones at cars containing Hereford followers.

Hereford: Cooksey 9, Clarke 8, Sturgess 7, Rodgerson 8, Robinson 6, James 6, Shirley 7, Snape 8, Elmes 8, Williams 7, Parry. Subs (not used): Quiggin, Baker, Plotnek, Giddings, Piearce.