THE match might have taken place seven months ago but Hereford United manager Jamie Pitman says it changed his football life.

Nobody could have predicted the events that unfolded when the Bulls headed to Northampton Town for a League Two clash on October 16 but they were key to where Pitman finds himself today.

Trailing 3-0 at half-time, Hereford, who just days earlier had sacked manager Simon Davey, looked down and out. However, they produced a stunning second-half fightback to win 4-3 with goals from Stuart Fleetwood (two), James McQuilkin and Mathieu Manset.

Not long after, Pitman had his role as caretaker boss extended to Christmas and then until the end of the season. He has now agreed a deal until the summer of 2013 and, reflecting on the past campaign, knows how pivotal that match at Sixfields was.

“Looking back over the season, Northampton was make-or-break for assistant Russell Hoult and me,” he said.

“I know now that there were four or five prospective managers in the stands ready to start at Edgar Street on the following Monday.

“We went in at half-time 3-0 down but what a turnaround there was. Mathieu and Stuart, who had both had tough starts to the season, came on and the game just changed.

“That match changed my life and Russell’s and we were given a great opportunity because of it.”