Saturday, January 22, 2000

HEREFORD United looked set to end a run of six matches without a win when deep into injury time they led Altrincham 2-1 in the Nationwide Conference at Edgar Street.

But in the 93rd minute substitute Richard Landon ruined their day by snapping up an equaliser. His strike extended Altrincham's unbeaten conference run to 12 games, nine of which have been drawn.

With the Robins' continuation of the sequence in jeopardy they won a corner on the left. All 22 players were crowded in the home penalty area as Steve Hawse lofted over the flag kick. It was Landon who won possession in a scramble to knock the ball into the net.

Landon is something of a super star for Altrincham as he has netted five goals in his last six appearances, scoring four of them in the final ten minutes of matches.

It was certainly a sickener for the Bulls who did more than enough to have taken all three points.

Only a superb save by veteran goalkeeper Dean Greygoose denied Rob Elmes a third minute goal as he managed to parry it onto the bar and away to safety.

Ten minutes later the lively Gavin Williams set up a great chance for Elmes, but his first- time shot went well wide.

Hereford continued to have the better of matters but at half-time the game remained goal-less. By contrast, the five minute spell early in the second period produced a flurry of goals.

In the 51st minute Elmes put Mark Taylor away on the right and Paul Parry raced in from the left to fire his cross home from close range.

Two minutes later Altrincham were back on level terms. The home defence were caught out by Simeon Hodson's free-kick and Gavin Price headed past the ball past goalkeeper Mark Jones.

The Bulls surged back to regain the lead in the 56th minute. The impressive Williams flicked on Taylor's free kick to Ian Rodgerson who looped a header over Greygoose from 12 yards.

That looked to have settled the issue until Landon gave Altrincham some reward from their first ever visit to Edgar Street.

It was a big disappointment to United's Director of Football Graham Turner who said: "Another two points were thrown away. But once again we conceded goals from set pieces."