DESPITE enjoying plenty of the game, Hereford suffered their fifth straight defeat in the ‘A49 derby’.

United were punished twice in the first period for defensive errors which saw Terry Gornell and James Collins grab the decisive goals to give Graham Turner another happy return to his old stamping ground.

Hereford handed a debut to Ben Purkiss for the big visit of local rivals Shrewsbury.

The former Oxford man came in a right-back with Ryan Green staying in the middle to deputise for the injured Stefan Stam.

Former Bull Lionel Ainsworth was named among the Shrewsbury substitutes.

Hereford forced an early corner after Yoann Arquin made ground on the right.

Joe Colbeck’s poorly struck cross was eventually fired yards wide by Nicky Featherstone.

Shrewsbury responded with a pacy attack which found Terry Gornell shooting just wide of Adam Bartlett’s goal.

Hereford looked promising in the early stages and had a shout for a penalty turned down when Ian Sharps crash-tackled Featherstone.

Hereford continued to have the better of the early play but Bartlett had to come swiftly off his line to clear as James Collins made a break.

The first Shrewsbury corner arrived on 15 minutes and it brought the first goal Matt Richards’ cross was initially cleared after a bout of head tennis but only as far as Joe Jacobson whose cross was headed in by Gornell.

Colbeck’s attempt at an immediate response flew harmlessly wide.

But Delroy Facey should have done better shortly afterwards when Colbeck’s cross picked him out.

The former Lincoln City man directed his header just the wrong side of an upright.

Shrewsbury keeper Chris Neal was fortunate to find a 26th minute Will Evans drive fly straight into his arms.

But Shrewsbury extended their lead on 28 minutes when a ball from Richards found Collins in the clear and the striker rifled a 20-yard drive past Bartlett and into the corner of the net.

Hereford were still unable to make the most of some good possession and Harry Pell curled a 35th-minute effort a long way wide.

An Evans shot from the edge of the area was closer but still far enough wide not to inconvenience Neal.

But only excellent work by Bartlett, who came out bravely to dive at the feet of Gornell, prevented a third Hereford goal.

Just before the break, Joe Jacobson appeared fortunate to escape without punishment when seeming to handle in the penalty area.

Hereford withdrew Facey at the interval with Tom Barkhuizen coming on in his place.

But Shrewsbury were swiftly on to the attack and Bartlett had to dive to turn behind a Collins drive.

On 52 minutes, Harry Pell conceded a corner but Bartlett got in a good punch to clear the ball.

Hereford, after 58 minutes produced their best passing movement of the game when Purkiss, Featherstone, Pell and Purdie were all involved in a pitch-spanning move which ended with Colbeck’s shot being deflected for a corner.

Another fine move shortly afterwards, involving Purdie and Pell, ended with Arquin’s shot being pushed behind for a corner.

Hereford brought on Nathan Elder to try to lift their attack.

And, with 12 minutes remaining, Richard Peniket also joined the fray.

Purdie drove a free-kick high over but there were few other clear openings as the game approached its final phase.

Six minutes from the end, Barkhuizen made a good break and found Colbeck but the former Bradford winger, who had a disappointing afternoon, sliced his shot horribly wide.

And, as Hereford pushed forward, they were lucky to escape further punishment when Collins fired into the side-netting in a swift counter-attack.

Hereford: 4-5-1: Bartlett; Purkiss, Townsend, Green, Purdie; Colbeck, Featherstone, Pell, Evans (Elder 69), Arquin (Peniket 77); Facey (Barkhuizen 46). Subs not used: Cornell, Clucas.

Shrewsbury: 4-4-2: Neal; Regan, Grandison, Sharps, Jacobson; Taylor, D McAllister, Richards, Wright; Collins, Cornell. Subs not used: Smith, S McAllister, Wroe, Ainsworth, Sawyers.

Referee: M Naylor (South Yorkshire).

Attendance: 3,515 (including 1,256 from Shrewsbury).

Goals: Gornell, 16 min, 0-1; Collins, 28 min, 0-2.