A LETHARGIC first-half display proved costly as Hereford slipped to their first away defeat of the season at Blundell Park.

After three straight wins on the road, the first reverse was bound to come sometime but it was a disappointing way for the run to end against a decidedly ordinary home team.

As the sides vied to see who could give the ball away the most often, Hereford came close to grabbing an 11th-minute lead.

Steve Guinan's pass sent Clint Easton away and the midfielder's shot took a huge deflection with goalkeeper Phil Barnes having to make a swift readjustment to dive and turn the ball behind for a corner.

Tom Newey's long-range effort flew into Wayne Brown's arms on 18 minutes but the full-back was involved again when the Mariners took the lead two minutes later.

Richard Rose failed to clear on the Hereford right and Newey's cross was crashed into the net from close range by Danny Boshell.

Jamie Clarke's free-kick flashed just over and Ciaran Toner's header was saved as Grimsby carved out the better chances.

But Hereford should have levelled on the stroke of half-time when Easton's cross picked out Trevor Benjamin only for the big striker to direct his header inches over.

Six minutes into the second-half, the Lincolnshire side extended their lead. Easton gave away a free-kick on the edge of the Hereford area and Newey found a gap in the United wall to send his shot past the helpless Brown.

Finding themselves two goals adrift seemed finally to set Hereford in motion and Guinan's persistence forced some haphazard defending which saw the Bulls man fire against an upright.

Two minutes later, however, Hereford pulled a goal back with one of the best passages of play of the match.

Easton set Kris Taylor away on the left and the former Walsall man's cross was smashed home by Benjamin.

It was the former million-pound striker's fifth goal of the season and maintained his record of having scored in every away game.

A blunder by Karl Broadhurst let in substitute Andy Taylor in the 62nd minute but Brown was swiftly off his line to pull off an excellent block.

And after that it was Barnes who was the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Nine minutes from the end, the home keeper pulled off a brilliant stop to foil Lionel Ainsworth with Theo Robinson putting the rebound into the side-netting from a narrow angle.

And then, deep into injury time, Barnes was out to save well again after Robinson raced on to an astute pass from Ben Smith.

Hereford: Brown; Rose, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Taylor; Ainsworth, Smith, Diagouraga (Webb, 80 min), Easton; Benjamin, Guinan (Robinson, 66 min). Subs not used: Ingham, McClenahan, McCombe.

Grimsby: Barnes; Mulligan, Whittle, Fenton, Newey; Clarke; Till, Bolland (Taylor, 59 min), Boshell (Bennett, 83 min), Toner; Rankin (Jones, 71 min). Subs not used: Bore, Montgomery.

Referee: Ray Lee (Essex) Attendance: 3,699.