HEREFORD FC suffered a shock 3-1 defeat in their first pre-season outing as AFC Wulfrunians took their chances to expose the Bulls.

A Jimmie Oates opener after 10 minutes seemed to set Hereford up for a comfortable victory as they controlled possession and had bags of chances throughout the game.

However, the hosts who were beaten to Wolves under-23 Academy 7-0 at the weekend, had three chances and took them all as Pete Beadles’ side squandered theirs.

The Bulls showed their intent from the opening minute when new signing Garyn Preen jinked his way down the left before firing his shot into the side-netting.

Oates rifled Hereford into the lead after just 10 minutes picking the ball up outside the box and shooting into the bottom corner.

With their first attempt AFC Wulfrunians replied on 20 minutes after a series of crosses resulted in Matt Hunt heading home.

Beadle’s side responded with John Mills having his first impact on the game running at the Wulfs’ skipper Ben Jeavons who handled the ball to stop the striker.

From the restart Mills ran clear and crossed to Pablo Haysham who lashed his shot wide in front of goal.

New signing and former Cardiff City forward Keyon Reffell, jinked into the box and passed back to Jamie Edge who lashed his shot goal-wards but was denied by a hands of John Bateman who tipped the ball just over.

The visitors were creating problems and a lovely chipped ball over the top found Mills who crossed to Reffell but he was denied by a great last ditch tackle.

Seconds before half-time a cross into the box from Mike McGrath looked to have been headed into his own net by Rich Palmer, but the referee disallowed the goal for an alleged push.

Despite having nearly all the possession Hereford were caught napping again on 72 minutes when a quick ball through by Jordan Harrison unlocked the defence and Alex Solomon slipped the ball over a charging Oliver Davies.

Beadle used all 22 players who travelled with the squad and Rob Purdie felt he should have been awarded a penalty in his search for the sought after equaliser when he was bundled down inside the box but the referee waved away his appeals.

However, just as a late equaliser looked likely AFC Wulfrunians clinched victory with five minutes remaining when a poor cross-field pass by Purdie was intercepted and Dan Sweeney rounded the goalkeeper to score.

Hereford: Horsell (Davies 45), Oates, Bowen, Preece, Deaman, McGrath, Edge, Preen, Reffell, Mills, Haysham

Subs: Symons, Purdie, Dinsley, Green, Molyneux, Pugh, Franklin, Preece, Ha

AFC Wulfrunians: Bateman, Johnson, Sedgemore, Stevens, Jeavons (Ray 52), Hunt (Barnes 52), Daley, Palmer, Harrison, Williams, Wedderburn

Subs: Smith, Parrish, Timar, Sidibe, Solomon, Sweeney