FORMER Hereford United striker Jarrod Bowen said it was good to grace Edgar Street once again.

The 18-year-old, who was key to United staying in the Football Conference last year before mounting debts saw them thrown out of the league, scored two late goals that saw his Hull City Under-21 side beat Hereford FC 3-2.

"It was a good day to come back and see everyone from last year," said Bowen.

"It was the first time I had been down in over a month so my family all came down and watch me play.

"I don't really score headers, but I got a good contact and the left-footed one was a tidy little finish.

"It was good to score two goals."

Bowen added that he was impressed with Hereford and think they will do well this season in the Midland Football League Premier Division.

"I thought they were really good, and with the quality that they have this season, I don't think they will struggle.

"To get over a thousand fans for a pre-season friendly shows how much it means to everyone so hopefully they will have a good season."

Bowen's goals saw the game swing back in Hull's favour after Hereford opened up a 2-1 lead.

Peter Beadle's side could have scored more, but John Mills saw his penalty saved by Hull goalkeeper Rory Watson and had a goal controversially disallowed for handball.

"I don't think I handballed it," said Mills.

"I think they appealed for it and the ref gave it, which was a shame.

"You should also always score penalties, I scored 11 out of 11 last year, but you miss some and score some.

"I'll still go up for the next one."

Mills felt Hull gave Hereford a good workout and cannot wait for the season to start on Saturday.

"All of their players were decent and they were good on the ball," said Mills.

"They liked to get it down and pass it around, so I think it was a good workout for us.

"We're just itching for the season now.

"If we keep the same set of lads then I think we'll do very well this year.

"The supporters were superb all day long, I've heard lots of things about them and it just lived up to the expectations."

Despite both teams looking promising on the ball in the early exchanges, the first chance of the game did not arrive until the 18th minute.

However, Greg Olley screwed his effort well wide for Hull following a corner.

But Hull did open the scoring in the 24th minute when John Der Horst expertly guided the ball past Hereford goalkeeper Harvey Rivers.

But Hereford got stronger as the first half wore on and levelled seven minutes later.

Solomon Wheatley whipped in a superb cross from the left that was flicked on by Mills.

Watson managed to parry the ball but only to the feet of Adam Page, who smashed it home.

Hereford were then awarded a penalty in the 59th minute after Harvey Rodgers handled the ball in the box.

But Watson did well to parry the spot-kick away,

Mills did get his goal 18 minutes from time following a deflection before he expertly rifled the ball home off the crossbar for what he thought was his second goal.

But referee Chris Smith disallowed it after deeming that Mills handled the ball in the build-up.

It looked like Hereford would secure a great win, but Bowen had other ideas.

He stroked the ball home past Rivers after being set up by Connor Townsend with six minutes to go before he headed home his second in the second minute of added on time.

MATCH FACTS

Hereford: Rivers, Kontic-Coveney, Haines (Bonella 60), Birch, James, Summers, Wheatley (Miller 65), Purdie (Lee 68), Mills (Hughes 78), Haysham, Page (Moreira 78).

Hull U21: Watson, Clackstone, Townsend, Olley (Clappison 65), Aimson, Rodgers (McKenzie 65), Tombides (Hinchcliffe 62), Clark, Bowen, Annan, Ter Horst.

Subs not used: Bukran, Tymon, Rodgerson, Barkworth.

Referee: Chris Smith.

Attendance: 1,118.