A POOR first-half cost Hereford United dearly as they were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy last night.

The Bulls could not repeat their shock defeats of Mansfield, Port Vale and Scunthorpe earlier in the competition at Moss Rose.

Macclesfield claimed a northern semi-final victory with goals from Danny Whitaker and Paul Harsley as Hereford struggled to find their way in the first 45 minutes.

And although Graham Turner's side dominated the second-half, they could not find a goal to rekindle their hopes.

Hereford failed to respond to the warning signs when Whitaker forced goalkeeper Craig Mawson into a save on 16 minutes.

Three minutes later, the Macclesfield midfielder was released by a through-ball from Martin Bullock, whose lively bursts caused the visitors problems, and he slid the ball past Mawson.

The Bulls operated with a lone striker in Guy Ipoua as Danny Carey-Bertram and Andy Williams pushed back into midfield. But they then by-passed the midfield too often with long balls.

Hereford struggled to give 'keeper Alan Fettis anything to worry about.

A rare shot saw Carey-Bertram spin to fire just off target on 39 minutes.

However, Macclesfield went into the break two goals ahead when Harsley rifled a 20-yarder past Mawson's outstretched arms from Kevin McIntyre's pass in the 45th minute. Turner reacted to the deficit by bringing on Rob Purdie for the ineffective Andy Ferrell in midfield and pushing Carey-Bertram up-front alongside Ipoua.

And the Bulls dominated the second-half with Ipoua enjoying the extra support and going close on several occasions, including just firing over with a 25-yard rocket on 54 minutes.

Youngster Williams went close with a header from Purdie's corner. But probably the best chance for Hereford saw Ipoua flick over a header from Alex Jeannin's cross in the 75th minute.

HEREFORD: Mawson; Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin; Williams (Evans 84), Stanley, Pitman, Ferrell (Purdie 46), Carey-Bertram; Ipoua. Subs not used: Lewis, Green, James.

ATTENDANCE: 1,315.