Tuesday, March 14, 2000

HEREFORD United's 11-game unbeaten Nationwide Conference run was ended in unlikely fashion as Woking won 4-2 at Edgar Street last night in the Bulls' first league defeat of the year.

Woking were the league's joint lowest scorers and second from bottom, but the formbook went out of the window along with the Bulls' impressive defensive record.

It took just 11 minutes for Woking to end United's spell of 479 minutes without conceding a goal when Darren Hay arrived at the far post to head past Andy Quy from a deep cross from Scott Smith.

The Bulls went 2-0 down 10 minutes later when the assistant referee made the first of two contentious decisions.

Striker Nassim Akrour looked offside in the centre of the Bulls' box after Dante Alighieri headed a ball from Smith across the area. The United defence hesitated, waiting for the flag to be rai-sed, but play continued and Akrour had time to choose his spot and beat Quy.

Just before the half-hour Woking went further ahead. Straight from the goal-kick that followed an Ian Rodgerson lob against the bar, Ak-rour ghosted through United's defence and set up Scott Steele to side-foot home.

Robin Elmes came close to scoring for the fourth successive game when he rattled the bar from a Rodgerson free-kick, but he blasted his best opportunity well over from six yards soon after.

Whatever Bulls boss Graham Turner said at half time seemed to have an effect on United after the break, as they mounted a recovery.

Elmes again blazed over from close range before the Bulls pulled a goal back after 61 minutes from a free kick by Rodgerson.

As the ball travelled across the six-yard box Cards skipper Steve West got a touch to deflect it over the line.

Six minutes later Paul Parry chased Chris Lane's pass-cum-cross as it hung in the air and West blasted a clearance off the young winger and into the net.

But United could not turn possession into chances and in the first minute of injury- time Woking struck again.

The Cards caught United on the break and when the assistant referee failed to spot Akrour clearly offside the striker made no mistake to slot home and seal victory.

Hereford: Quy 6, Lane 6, Sturgess 6, Clarke 6, James 6, White 6, Rodgerson 7, Snape 8, May 6, Elmes 6, Parry 6 (Williams 72). Subs not used: Rudall, Taylor, Warren, Shirley.

Star man: John Snape.

Attendance: 2,216.