HEREFORD United strengthened their strike-force ahead of Saturday’s League Two derby at Cheltenham Town with the capture of Waide Fairhurst (3pm).

The 21-year-old marksman has joined the Bulls on a one-month loan from Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers and goes straight into Jamie Pitman’s squad for the trip to Whaddon Road.

Fairhurst, who scored four goals in 10 appearances for Shrewsbury last season, is the second striker to link up with Hereford recently after the arrival of Jake Jervis from Birmingham City.

Stuart Fleetwood has been leading the line with either Joe Colbeck, Jervis or Sean Canham since last month’s departure of Mathieu Manset.

Pitman said: “Waide’s a goal-scorer and will work very hard. He’s played a bit at this level and did well at Shrewsbury. He will hopefully give us an extra dimension up front.”

The Bulls travel to Cheltenham looking to put a disappointing spell at Edgar Street behind them, which saw a 1-0 defeat to Lincoln last Saturday followed by a 2-2 draw against Macclesfield.

Hereford led the latter encounter 2-1, despite having captain Michael Townsend sent off for two bookings, but conceded a minute from time.

Pitman, though, says the late blow is no longer in his players’ thoughts as they bid to maintain an unbeaten Football League record against the Robins.

They will also be buoyed by Mark Yates’ team losing four of their last five games on home soil.

“I was very disappointed on Tuesday but we have moved on from that now and will hopefully learn from it,” the Bulls boss added.

“It’s going to be a very tough game but we are looking to get something from it.”

With Townsend serving his one-match ban, Birmingham loanee Daniel Preston could partner Janos Kovacs in the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, Hereford face a charge of fielding an ineligible player in the 3-1 win at Torquay on February 1.

Midfielder Rob Purdie’s permanent move was not registered in time and could result in a fine or points deduction.