Hereford'S dismal Nationwide Conference form continued at Edgar Street with a second successive home defeat against in-form Woking on Tuesday, writes Richard Prime.

United have now failed to win in five matches since their FA Umbro Trophy quarter-final success against Burton Albion and they have registered just three successes in league action since the visit of Forest Green Rovers back on November 11.

With the big semi-final second leg against their Gloucestershire opponents coming up on Saturday, this was hardly the preparation that Bulls boss Graham Turner was looking for. But, in fairness, his makeshift side could have gained at least a point if just half of the several chances created in the first 45 minutes had been taken.

With Saturday's vital game in mind, Turner rested five of his likely starters, Scott Cooksey, Matt Clarke, Ian Wright, Rob Elmes and John Snape, from the Woking match, although Snape and Clarke did make second-half substitute appearances.

One of Saturday's certainties, Gavin Williams, was probably the worst culprit in front of goal, squandering a couple of good openings, one in the first 20 seconds when Cards skipper Steve West and debutant goalkeeper Stuart Baverstock got themselves in a tangle straight from the kick-off. But Williams' best chance came after 23 minutes when the youngster streaked clear of the defence with only Baverstock to beat but allowed the 17-year-old to block his shot.

Baverstock also made a good save from a John Shirley 20-yarder but at the other end, Matt Baker, making his home debut for United, also had chances to show his worth.

The former Hull keeper saved well from Charlie Griffin in the 21st minute but might have been punished a minute later when his fine block from a Matt Hayfield effort ran straight to Chris Sharpling. The striker, on loan from Crystal Palace, missed the target with the goal gaping.

As the second half's teeming rain brought back memories of the last encounter between the sides which was abandoned after 50 minutes, play got more and more bogged down so that it was a surprise when a goal finally arrived.

Scott Steele swung his 71st-minute corner into the United goalmouth and Steve Perkins found space at the near post to guide a header past Baker and secure the points.

Hereford: Baker, Shirley, Sturgess, Robinson (Snape 46 mins), Wall, James, Rodgerson, Crowe, Giddings, Williams (Bull 67 mins), Parry (Clarke 72 mins).

Woking: Baverstock, Smith, Hollingdale, West (Metcalfe 52 mins), Boardman, Hayfield, Perkins, Roddis, Steele (Kadi 73 mins), Griffin, Sharpling.

Referee: S Tanner (Bristol).

Attendance: 1,280.