Saturday, January 25, 2003

A DISASTROUS 13-minute spell leading up to half time paved the way for Hereford's first Nationwide Conference defeat in eight matches in an incident-packed top-of-the-table clash at Christie Park.

Two goals in quick succession just after the half-hour mark, including a headed own-goal by defender Andy Tretton and then Danny Williams' instant red card for retaliation, left the Bulls with a mountain to climb in the second period against a side with one of the best home records in the Conference.

Hereford's 10 men rallied in the second half, with John Grant effective on the right side of midfield, and his cross was tapped home by Steve Guinan in the 70th minute to give them fresh hope.

The Bulls certainly had the better of the second period, with Guinan failing to tuck home a routine chance early on, and only a last-ditch tackle by Stewart Drummond in the 83rd minute prevented Grant from snatching a leveller.

But, just a minute later, substitute Nick Rogan surged from the half-way line and eventually slipped the ball across for the unmarked Wayne Curtis to seal victory and Morecambe's first double over United.

In truth, the Bulls only had themselves to blame in the first half because they squandered two clear-cut chances in a lively battle between the two play-off hopefuls.

Guinan found himself clean through in the fifth minute, following a crunching tackle by Jamie Pitman and then a neat threaded pass from Grant, but Morecambe goalkeeper Craig Mawson blocked the striker's shot with his legs.

And in the 15th minute, Michael Rose whipped in a cross only for the unmarked Grant to head wide from point-blank range.

The double let-off was a reprieve for the Lancashire outfit and, after testing Matt Baker with a couple of long-range efforts, they took the lead in the 32nd minute when Garry Thompson's low cross bisected the United defence and Lee Elam swept the ball past Baker, who later made two stunning saves.

Hereford's woes intensified within two minutes when Elam's cross from was mis-judged by Tretton, who directed the ball into his own net.

On the stroke of half-time, Hereford's plight worsened when the referee deemed that Williams had aimed a kick at Iain Swan in retaliation for a challenge seconds earlier, and dismissed the midfielder for violent conduct.