Tuesday, March 26, 2002

Hereford United moved a step closer to preserving their Nationwide Conference status with a 1-0 win last night over Chester City at Edgar Street.

A sixth-minute 25-yard deflected strike from captain Ian Wright was enough to seal United's first home victory in four league outings and end in-form Chester's eight-match unbeaten Conference run.

Hereford rode their luck against a Ches-ter side that squandered a number of gilt-edged chances but gained revenge for their FA Umbro Trophy defeat.

Chester manager Mark Wright was left to reflect on a controversial 66th-minute decision when substitute David Brown sprinted clear of the home defence and appeared to be brought down by Hereford's substitute 'keeper Matt Baker.

But Surrey referee Paul Melin turned down Chester's appeals for a penalty and booked Brown for diving.

Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson was delighted that his side held on for victory, adding: "We defended well at times and got bodies behind the ball. We are now three points nearer to safety."

United, who included Dean Barrick, a left-back signed from Doncaster until the end of the season, made a flying start which culminated in Wright's seventh goal of the season. Paul Parry, on his ret-urn after illness, brought a superb save out of visiting 'keeper Wayne Brown.

But Baker, a 13th-minute substitute for Stuart Jones who suffered a dead leg following a collision, was the busier 'keeper.

Baker made crucial stops in the first half from Michael McElhatton and Chester's top scorer Mark Beesley, and in the 53rd minute he brilliantly finger-tipped away a low shot from Beesley.

And when Baker was beaten Hereford were indebted to Richard Holmes who headed away a goal-bound effort from Phil Bolland, last-ditch clearances from Barrick and Scott Goodwin, and some very desperate, but effective, defending.

Hereford: Jones (Baker 13, 7), Holmes, 7, Barrick 7, Robinson 6, Wright 9, James 7, Goodwin 6, Clarke 6, Parry 8, Williams 7, Rodgerson 6 (Quiggin 62, 6). Subs (not used): Davidson, Diamond, Hill.

Attendance: 1,295.