HEREFORD boss Jamie Pitman sprang a surprise by calling up his assistant Russell Hoult to keep goal in their key game against Macclesfield.

Adam Bartlett was dropped to the bench, partly as a result of a thigh injury.

Kenny Lunt was also left out with Nicky Featherstone brought back into the starting line-up.

Hereford: 4-4-2; Hoult; Green, Stam, Townsend, Heath; Colbeck, Featherstone, Pell, Purdie; Fleetwood, Facey. Subs not used: Bartlett, Williams, McQuilkin, Lunt, Arquin.

Macclesfield: 4-4-2; Viega, Tremarco, Brown, Chalmers, Drpaer, Sinclair, Diagne, Brisley, Wedgbury, Hamshaw, Hewitt. Subs not used: Tomlinson, Kay, Mendy, Grant, Bateson.

Referee: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey).