Tuesday, April 10, 2001

FOLLOWING on from the heartbreak of Saturday's FA Trophy semi-final defeat against Forest Green, Hereford United's poor run continued last night as they went down 1-0 at Dover Athletic.

The Bulls, however, can consider themselves unfortunate not to have gained at least a point, particularly after striking the woodwork in each half.

In a hard fought yet uneventful first half, United looked far more comfortable on the ball against a Dover side without a Nationwide Conference victory since the opening week of January. And they should have opened the scoring when Paul Sturgess provided a superb cross to pick out the head of the unmarked Rob Elmes. A goal looked certain but Elmes headed against the bar with Dover 'keeper Paul Hyde well beaten.

It was Athletic, however, who grabbed an all important goal in the 40th minute. It came as Lee McRobert switched play with a sublime cross-field ball that picked out Neil Le Bihan overlapping on the left flank. And after Le Bihan had done well to ride a full blooded challenge from John Snape, the midfielder's cross to the near post was emphatically volleyed past Bulls 'keeper Scott Cooksey by Matt Carruthers.

In the second half, United continued to use the ball better against a tenacious yet limited Athletic side. And although chances remained at a premium, United were again cursing their luck when Snape's snap-shot from 30 yards smacked against the bar, with the rebound dropping unkindly for the incoming Gavin Williams.

If there was a moment in this match that exemplified United's fortunes of late, this was undoubtedly it. Nevertheless, the visitors seldom troubled home keeper Hyde from this point as Athletic held on to secure a victory that should banish any lingering relegation fears for the Kent club.

Hereford: Cooksey 7, Clarke 6, Sturgess 6, Robinson 7, Wright 8, James 7, Quiggin 6 (Parry 76), Snape 8, Elmes 7, Williams 7, Crowe 6 (Shirley 45, 6), Subs not used: Wall, Baker, Giddings.

H Star man: Ian Wright.

Attendance: 1,072.