ROB Purdie said an emotional farewell to his playing career at Edgar Street after choosing to retire at the age of 35.

After recently qualifying as a firefighter the popular midfielder has chosen to end his football career.

He scored on his final home league game for Hereford FC before being allowed his moment to say goodbye to supporters while being substituted in the second half.

It capped off a perfect day for Hereford taking the lead through Dara O'Shea's 12th minute goal when Keyon Reffell saw his initial effort blocked off the line only for the young defender to fire into the bottom corner.

Just a minute later Purdie had his moment to celebrate when Eliot Richards crossed to the back post and the midfielder rose before sending his looping header over the helpless goalkeeper.

"He has been an integral part of this football club for many years now and the last three years for him he has enjoyed it a lot more," said Hereford manager Pete Beadle.

"He has been able to relax a little bit, enjoy his football and play in a team where the standards are very high here.

"It's fitting that he scores the winning goal that wins us the championship on Tuesday and scores his last league game at Edgar Street. I'm a big believer in fate and I think that was destined to happen.

"It's a fitting end to what has been a fantastic career with lots of highs and lows. He has had a few bad times when the crowd haven't been so friendly towards him but that's part of the parcel of being a footballer.

"We will miss him next year, he is a great character and has been a fantastic servant to this club and the old club."

Lance Smith netted a 16th minute penalty to put the Bulls out of sight at 3-0 ahead after Mike McGrath was taken down inside the box and the striker fired low into the bottom corner.

However, Kettering, who are also hopeful of promotion through the play-offs, came back into the tie in the second half and pulled a goal back on 49 minutes when skipper Brett Solkhon rattled the post before Matthew Stevens netted the rebound.

Hereford goalkeeper Will Puddy was forced into action before Smith's second settled any nerves on 68 minutes slotting home from Cameron Pring's driven cross to make it 4-1.

Purdie was given his opportunity to saviour the moment while being replaced by Pablo Haysham on 72 minutes before celebrating the league title success with his team-mates and fans following the final whistle.

"I was hoping Beadle would bring me off so I got to say thank you to the fans at the same time so that will be something I can take away with me in the next few years," added Purdie.

"It was good that we got a good start as it meant I could relax and enjoy the game. I got a goal as well which is the icing on the cake. The fans have been brilliant to me today so I have got lots of memories to take away.

"It was 16 years ago when I first came to the club and if somebody had said that I had the career that I've had and spent most of it here then I wouldn't have believed them and I'm blessed to have done it.

"It's a great way to finish my career and the season and it couldn't have been any better. I'll sit down with Beadle and see if there is any kind of role for me here, I don't want my affiliation with the club to completely end."