EXPERIENCED campaigner Rob Purdie says Bulls supporters should not panic despite seeing their side lose two games in a week.

After an encouraging 4-1 opening day win against Dunkirk at Edgar Street, many Hereford fans felt the new team would easily win the Midland Football League Premier Division.

But, just three days later, the Bulls put in an abject display against Stourport Swifts that saw them lose 2-0.

And another defeat followed last Saturday when they went down 2-1 at Shirley-based Highgate United.

Hereford are again on the road this weekend when they travel to Staffordshire to face Rocester before hosting Coleshill Town at Edgar Street.

"It was a lot better on Saturday that what it was like at Stourport and, apart from the penalty and free-kick, I don't think Harvey [Rivers] had much to do," said Purdie.

"I think all four goals we have conceded lately have been poor and we have had two penalties against us when we didn't need to make a challenge.

"But there is no panic at the moment and the league won;t shape up until the end of September.

"When we get it right, I know we have a good team that has got a very good chance of doing well in this league.

"This is the first season for Hereford and it is going to be a tough road, but yo u are judged over 42 games.

"People see other teams like Chester, Wimbledon and FC United do well and I can understand why people think we are a big fish in a small pond.

"But we are 11 players playing in step five for a reason and this is the level that we're at.

"We have no god given right to win this league."

Purdie does admit though that the last two games have been a wake-up call for the team.

"I think last Tuesday was definitely a wake-up to us because maybe we thought we would just turn up and win, but this league is a lot different to other divisions," said Purdie.

"Players play differently and we have to learn to adapt and put a run of results together because, if we go on a losing run, then we will be playing catch-up."

Lei Brown was Highgate's hero, netting twice for the home side.

His first was from the penalty spot after Tony James was deemed to have committed a foul before adding his second from a free-kick four minutes from time.

Purdie immediately reduced the deficit with a set-piece of his own, but it was too little, too late and Highgate held on for the win.

MATCH FACTS

Hereford: Rivers, Kontic-Coveney, Edwards, Summers, James, Birch, Wheatley (Miller 68), Purdie, Mills, Haysham, Page.

Subs not used: Lee, Haines, Hughes, Gwynne.

Highgate: Catlow, Tacey, Polisciano, Curtis, Turner, Edwards, Rodgers, Taylor, Benjamin (Lynch 78), Edgington (T Smith 81), Brown.

Subs not used: Robinson, G Smith.

Referee: Ryan Haynes.

Attendance: 566.