HEREFORD United found themselves outgunned by their expensively assembled visitors as they slipped to a second successive reverse at Edgar Street.

But Bulls fans were left wondering what might have been had referee Scott Mathieson shown goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel a red, rather then a yellow card, when he conceded a first-half penalty.

Hereford manager John Trewick made just one change with Craig King, a goalscoring substitute against Northampton Town, taking the place of Jonny Godsmark.

Notts County included two former Hereford loanees, Karl Hawley and Ade Akinbiyi, among their substitutes.

Jordon Mutch clipped a 35-yard free-kick just over on six minutes, while at the other end, Craig Westcarr drove wide from distance but then forced a good save from Adam Bartlett.

The game sparked to life on 19 minutes as Ryan Green found Marc Pugh and he was bundled to the ground by Schmeichel.

But the goalkeeper, who appeared lucky to remain on the pitch, saved Ryan Valentine’s spot-kick low to his right.

The visitors took the lead on 31 minutes when, in a swift attack, Lee Hughes slipped the ball to Westcarr and he beat the hesitant Bartlett from close-range.

Hereford had the ball in the net four minutes before the break when Mathieu Manset headed in Valentine’s cross, but it was ruled offside.

But the hosts’ defence was completely caught out six minutes into the second period.

Ben Davies drove in a free-kick from 35 yards and defender Mike Edwards raced into space, completely unmarked, to clip the ball past Bartlett.

The visitors, watched by director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson, piled forward and Hughes had an effort saved by Bartlett.

Edwards almost scored again on 58 minutes when he forced a diving save from Bartlett with a powerful header.

Schmeichel came to County’s rescue on 64 minutes, diving to smother at the feet of Pugh.

Bartlett matched his effort moments later with a brilliant diving save from Jamie Clapham.

County efficiently closed the game out and Hereford rarely looked like reducing the arrears.

Hereford: Bartlett, Jones, Green (Rose 46), Valentine, Lowe (Done 68), Mutch, Wedderburn, Valentine, King (Constantine 68), Manset, Pugh. Subs not used: Adamson, Lunt, Gwynne, McCallum.

Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).

Attendance: 2,727.