HEREFORD manager Pete Beadle said his team were 'lightweight' and 'weak' as they were outclassed by a Cardiff City XI.

The Welsh side included some first team players, including Declan John, Craig Noone and Stuart O'Keefe.

But Beadle was still disappointed in the way his team capitulated, especially after getting back in the game.

"We had a really good spell after they scored and got our goal back and thought we would go again, but it didn't quite happen," said Beadle.

"And they punished us for any little thing we did wrong, like we were in the wrong position or we gave away the wrong pass.

"However, taking aside how good they were on the night, I thought we were disappointing.

"After we had a decent spell until half-time, we looked lightweight and weak.

"We didn't look bright or sharp and I don't understand why.

"Because we are short on numbers, I didn't want to work them too hard, but for whatever reason, it wasn't our night.

"The result is irrelevant though.

"I know it looks awful, but you look at the players they had on show, some of them have played in the Premier League.

"And that was the difference – they showed their class.

"There's many factors, like many of the players are part-time and had work during the day, whereas they are fresh and have prepared properly.

"So the last you want to do after a day's work is chasing a 21-year-old whippet.

"But it is exactly what we needed."

Cardiff were managed by former Leeds and Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell on the night.

And Blackwell was impressed with Hereford at times.

"I thought they tried to play some good football and moved the ball quick," he said.

"Possession wise at one point, they certainly had more than we did.

"Clearly our lads are sharper and fitter, you expect that from full time professionals, but if I was Hereford,

"We knew they of their reputation and that they wouldn't let a side come here and dominate.

"So we knew it was going to be a tough game and it was a great workout"

Cardiff opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Nathan Kennedy got on the end of a Declan John goal before Mark Preece nodded home a Pablo Haysham free-kick to equalise for the Bulls.

At that stage, there was nothing between the two sides, but a lapse in concentration by the Hereford defence gifted Cardiff two quick goals.

First, a low drive from John beat Ethan Ross in the Hereford goal in the 31st minute before Ibrahim Meite nipped in to score three minutes later.

Meite almost scored again five minutes before half-time, but Ross did well to thwart his effort.

Into the second half and a teasing Garyn Preen cross was tipped over by Cardiff goalkeeper Brian Murphy before the Bulls substitute again tested him with a fizzing drive from distance.

At the other end, Cameron Cox’s free-kick hit the foot of a post before Cardiff made it 4-1 in the 75th minute.

Ross was caught out of possession and Noone lofted the ball into an unguarded goal.

A deflected Noone shot 10 minutes from time sealed the emphatic win for the Bluebirds.

Hereford: Hereford: Ross, Oates, Bowen, Edge, Deaman, Preece, Reffell, McGrath (Mills), Smith (Hayes), Haysham, Purdie (Preen).

Subs not used: Franklin, Pugh, Richards, Harris.

Cardiff City: Murphy, Coxe (Trialist), Young (Duffus), Trialist, John (Trialist), Weymans, Humphries (Veale), O’Keefe, Kennedy, Noone, Meite.

Subs not used: Byrne, Trialist, Trialist.

Attendance: 1,114.