Saturday, November 1, 2003

Hereford United's unbeaten home record was left in ruins after Jamie Pitman's dismissal cost them dear in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Leigh RMI at Edgar Street.

Pitman became the first Bulls player to see red this season when he received a second yellow card after intervening in a fracas sparked by a foul by Dean Craven in the centre of the field.

The Hereford midfielder became drawn into a confrontation with Leigh centre-back Martyn Lancaster and both were shown the yellow card after the intervention of an assistant referee.

Pitman had first attracted the attention of Lincolnshire referee Gary Sutton eight minutes previously when he was cautioned for dissent so two yellows spelt red.

At this stage, the match was still scoreless and despite their numerical disadvantage, Hereford went on to enjoy a good share of possession before Leigh struck through Carl Barrowclough four minutes from time.

It was only the second Nationwide Conference defeat of the season for the Bulls, but they remain top, a point clear of nearest rivals Chester City and Aldershot Town.

Boss Graham Turner had made three changes from the side which had hammered Harrow Borough the previous week with on-loan Tamika Mkandawire returning to replace Richard Teesdale, Dean Craven replacing the injured Paul Parry and Danny Carey-Bertram gaining a first start at the expense of David Brown.

Hereford, however, came under considerable pressure from the outset and might have fallen behind after two minutes.

Michael Rose's mis-kick presented a chance to Ian Monk who himself mis-kicked in front of a gaping goal. But when the ball was returned to Monk, he powered in a shot from 10 yards which Matt Baker did brilliantly to push away for a corner.

Steve Guinan tricked his way through the Leigh defence but saw his shot blocked by veteran goalkeeper Gary Kelly before Baker again came to Hereford's rescue.

After a foul by Mkandawire on Barrowclough, Warren Peyton took the free-kick quickly as the Hereford wall was still assembling and Baker had to dive to make a fine save.

Guinan then provided two excellent chances to break the deadlock when he first set up Craven, for a shot which was pushed away by Kelly, and then Danny Williams, who delayed his effort too long and the opportunity was gone.

Baker raced out quickly to block at Monk's feet and then produced another fine save to palm away Peyton's 30-yarder as Leigh began the second half brightly.

But, either side of the Pitman dismissal, Hereford had the ball in the net twice, through Carey-Bertram and Mkandawire although both times the efforts were ruled out for infringements.

Barrowclough, who had a minute earlier been denied by a fine tackle by James, fired home an angled drive to settle matters in the 86th minute.

But, even then, Hereford were unfortunate not to draw level when Kelly produced a magnificent save to push away Williams' 20-yard shot for a corner.