Saturday, February 8, 2003

A SENSATIONAL 30-yard rocket from on-loan defender Jay Lovett fired high-flying Hereford to a dramatic Nationwide Conference win at Edgar Street on Saturday.

The Brentford defender struck in the third minute of stoppage time, hammering a scorching low drive past former Hereford goalkeeper Chris Mackenzie.

Lovett's last-gasp winner earned United their third double of the campaign but, more importantly, lifted the club to fifth place in the table.

The 25-year-old had been agonisingly close to restoring Hereford's lead in the 76th minute when his powerful shot cannoned against a post and bounced to safety.

"I was very pleased with my goal," said Lovett afterwards. "When I hit the post I was wondering when a goal was going to come along.

"We needed three points today because, obviously, our main objective is to get into the play-offs. Hopefully, I will get a few more goals."

Hereford opened the scoring three minutes after the break when Rob Purdie collected a quick throw-out from Matt Baker and ran 65 yards before delivering an inch-perfect cross for John Grant to coolly slide home his third goal of the season.

But the relegation-threatened visitors drew level from a controversially awarded penalty in the 73rd minute after Tony James was adjudged to have fouled the experienced Carl Alford.

The former Yeovil Town striker picked himself up and made no mistake from the spot, rifling an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Just before their equaliser, Nuneaton's Daire Doyle was thwarted by the quick reflexes of Baker and then, in the 81st minute, substitute Danny Williams almost gave the visitors a surprise lead when a high bounce caught out James and the substitute lobbed the ball wide with Baker stranded.

United should have gone ahead in the 81st minute when Ben Smith was clean through but shot wide of the far post and then Hereford piled on the pressure in the last five minutes, with the outstanding Paul Parry particularly threatening.

Finally, after a sustained period of Hereford pressure, Lovett broke through just when it appeared that Nuneaton would hold on for a draw.

Both sides struggled in a scrappy first half. Baker made a crucial save in the fourth minute to deny Alford, while Hereford's Smith and Steve Guinan had fierce strikes charged down by the defence.