HEREFORD endured a disappointing afternoon in Essex, dropping two points against a side they would have expected to beat and falling further behind leaders Accrington Stanley in the race for the Nationwide Conference title.

But, far more seriously for their season's outlook, the Bulls suffered two further blows which may have a major impact on their title bid.

After 38 minutes, Canvey midfielder John Kennedy launched into a challenge on Hereford leading scorer Adam Stansfield which left the former Yeovil man stationery on the floor.

Stansfield was stretchered off with a suspected fractured cheek bone and this may well end his season.

And Alex Jeannin, who received his 10th yellow card of the season for a foul, compounded his offence by swearing at the referee and receiving a straight red card.

The Frenchman now looks likely to pick up a five-match ban at a crucial point in the season.

Hereford had rather the better of the scrappy opening exchanges and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 14 minutes.

Craig Stanley's pass into the penalty area was neatly backheeled by Nicky Nicolau into the path of Stuart Fleetwood and United's recent signing from Cardiff City cracked his first Conference goal past goalkeeper Richard McKinney.

But within three minutes, the home side were back on level terms in somewhat dubious circumstances.

The linesman flagged furiously to indicate that skipper Tamika Mkandawire had fouled Kezie Ibe and referee Dean Whitestone pointed to the penalty spot.

Home skipper Neil Gregory stepped up and slammed the spot kick past Wayne Brown.

After Stansfield's departure, United rallied just before the interval and Nicolau's 20-yarder was pushed around a post by McKinney.

But, on the stroke of half-time, a brilliant diving save by Brown kept out Mario Noto's free-kick.

Jeannin saw red on 55 minutes and, just afterwards, Brown produced another excellent stop to keep out another Noto effort.

But, within seconds of this, Fleetwood had the ball in the net again, following some good work by Andy Williams, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.

On 67 minutes, Brown produced another excellent save to turn over an Ibe effort and for a period it seemed as if Canvey's pressure against Hereford's 10 men would bring a winning goal.

But Hereford rallied again towards the end and McKinney brilliantly touched over a Williams effort on 83 minutes. Then, with virtually the last kick of the match, Andy Ferrell's 30-yard drive was heading for the bottom corner of the net until McKinney threw himself to his right to turn the ball around an upright for a corner.

Hereford: Brown, Green, Beckwith, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Williams, Stanley, Ferrell, Nicolau (Travis, 60 min), Fleetwood (Taylor, 71 min), Stansfield (Purdie, 40 min). Subs not used: Mawson, Gwynne.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Attendance: 784