WITH all the attention focused on their off-field troubles, Hereford United’s progress in the Blue Square Bet Premier has crept under the radar.

The Bulls were unable to pay their players in full last month and there is still no sign of the major financial investment promised by chairman David Keyte.

The situation has coincided with the team’s best run of form this season and they host Gateshead today (3pm) sitting sixth following three consecutive victories.

The players have impressed manager Martin Foyle with their attitude in the face of adversity, particularly in last Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Forest Green Rovers.

He said: “It’s been hard times for the players and for the board as well. But the players showed me they wanted to play for me. They’ve had three games without being paid but nobody can point their finger at them.”

Hereford’s position in the league with three games to go is remarkable. Having been relegated from the Football League, the club knew they would have to be frugal when it came to player recruitment.

Few imagined times would have been as hard as they have — the club needing their FA Cup run to pay a six-figure tax bill.