HEREFORD United manager Jon Taylor has condemned the actions of the players who were sent off last night for fighting - calling it "shameful and disgraceful".

Sam Akinde and Aaron Wickham were both red-carded after the final whistle following a melee.

"The players involved will be reprimanded," said Taylor.

"We can't have thugs in the team, it doesn't bode well and goes against all my morals and principles.

"The way players conduct themselves reflect on the club.

"The discipline has to be right and players need to be honest and more responsible.

"There will be an internal inquiry and they will be dealt with accordingly once I have seen the video evidence.

"I don't condone this as a manager of a proud football club.

"It is shameful and disgraceful."

Taylor said punches were thrown and players started pushing each other as soon as the game finished.

"That was totally unacceptable, there has got to be more discipline," said Taylor.

"The referee was not consistent enough during the game in that we had three bookings and they one, even though we didn't make any bad tackles.

"Akinde was smashed in the back and did his collar bone in, but nothing was given.

"We needed a bit more protection and consistency, but I am not blaming the referee.

"We cannot have players punching and hitting people after the game."

Hereford, who the only full-time team in the Evo-Stik South Premier League, went into last night's game on the back of an excellent away point at tabletoppers Poole Town.

But Slough never looked in trouble and won 2-0.

"It was evident that some players were in a false sense of security and it was a reality check," said Taylor.

"It was totally embarrassing.

"We didn't test their keeper at all and it was very lacklustre.

"We had the same team and personnel from the Poole game, but there was no desire, commitment or character last night.

"It is terrible that some players find it difficult to play two games in three days, which is not acceptable.

"Some think they are better than they are.

"With respect to Slough, they won a lot of battles in midfield and were route one, which caught us napping.

"It was quite evident that some players did not prepare themselves.

"Some Slough players went to work in the day, whereas we had the day off.

"If they cannot go to Slough on a wet, windy, Tuesday night and be up for it, then I need to see who to keep at the club.

"The character is not good enough.

"I thought a lot of them were born with the philosophy of being defensive and offensive, but some of them haven't got the character, desire or commitment.

"I will back any player to the hilt, but when you don't have the commitment to play Slough, who are lingering in mid-table, you are being dishonest as a player.

"We did some light sessions on Monday and the lads did very well.

"They then played seven v seven after that.

"But I thought we played like individuals last night rather than as a team.

"You had Brad-Lee Gascoigne in the 47th minute being more bothered about pushing players.

"Their player then spun him and beat Luke Williams.

"That is not acceptable from the captain.

"I won't hide things and I won't hide things from the press."