Saturday, December 28, 2002

Hereford United striker John Grant fired in his first goal for the Bulls to give them a 71st minute lead over Forest Green Rovers in a Nationwide Conference festive season derby.

But within a minute former Hereford favourite Neil Grayson silenced the home fans in the 3,271 crowd - the biggest league gate of the season at Edgar Street- with an equaliser.

Grant latched on to a short pass from fellow striker Steve Guinan to drive in a left footed shot past Steve Perrin. Afterwards a delighted Grant said: "It was great to get my first goal for Hereford, with my weakest foot too. I hope I can start a scoring run.

"I've been disappointed with my form so far. I want to show the Hereford fans I'm a good player. Any neutral latecomer might have been puzzled as to who was playing whom."

United's scorer had his name and number 10 printed on the back of his shirt, as did Forest Green's Darren Jones.

This was because of the visitors arrived with a strip of black and white shirts and white shorts which clashed with Hereford's colours, Exeter referee Mike Mullarkey ruled they had to turn out in the Bulls' away strip.

Grayson was sporting Hereford coach Richard O'Kelly's shirt when he rose to head home a cross from Steve Cowe, who had a loan spell at Edgar Street in 1998-99.

Forest Green manager Colin Addison, the former Hereford boss, praised his 38-year-old striker saying: "He has the enthusiasm of someone 10 years younger. It was a magnificent header and the result was about right."

Addison acknowledged he always received a warm welcome at Edgar Street but added: "Unfortunately half a dozen supporters had a go at me. This was not nice considering how I helped build the club in the past."

Rob Purdie did well replacing the injured Jamie Pitman in midfield, while Rob Sawyers took over from the suspended Michael Rose at left back. Mike Husbands, a 19-year-old loan striker from Aston Villa made his debut has a 67th-minute substitute.

Both sides had chances to score before Grant broke the deadlock, Paul Parry, whose electrifying runs lit up the game, forced Perrin to save a second attempt and in the 60th minute, Guinan hit a 25-yarder against the bar.

At the other end Matt Baker brought off brilliant saves to foil Grayson and Gary Owers.

Hereford director of football Graham Turner said: "It was a very competitive game but having taken the lead, we should have hung on to it."

GOALSCORERS: Grant 71 (1-0), Grayson 72 (1-1).

STAR PLAYER: Paul Parry.

BOOKINGS: Forest Green: Grayson (foul), Jenkins (foul).

ATTENDANCE: 3,271.

REFEREE: Mr M Mullarkey (Exeter)

HEREFORD: Baker 7, Clarke 7 (Teesdale 80), Sawyers 6, James 7, Tretton 7, Purdie 7 (Husbands 67), Smith 6, Grant 7, Parry 8, Williams 7, Guinan 7, Subs not used: Wright, Griffiths and Fox.

FOREST GREEN: Perrin, Coupe, Jenkins, Langan, Foster, Grayson, Owers, Richardson, Russell (Cowe 46), Jones, Odejayi (Cook 74). Subs not used: Meechan, Glassup, Allen.