A CRUEL penalty decision sent Hereford United crashing out of the LDV Vans Trophy but in the misery of defeat there was praise from Northampton boss Kevan Broadhurst.

The Cobblers manager des-cribed the Bulls as a good side and a credit to the Nationwide Conference, though it's debatable how much better that made Graham Turner feel.

The Edgar Street manager was still fuming over the decision a few days after the match and described it as diabolical.

Andy Tretton was the unfortunate defender to be penalised which was a shame for the former Shrewsbury Town skipper who has been an intergral part of Hereford's good start to the season.

However, worryingly for the Bulls two factors continue to hamper their progress - home form and ability to score goals.

While United will be back where they perform best next week - away from home at Doncaster Rovers - Turner will be desperate to solve the goals problem.

Chukki Eribenne chipped in with two against Northampton but with one goal in 45 appearances for Bournemouth perhaps too much cannot be pinned on his shoulders.

The one good thing for Turner is that they are sharing goals around with Jamie Pitman (four), Matt Clarke, Paul Parry and Steve Guinan - three each - but one of the strikers needs to start hitting the net more regularly.

A recent record of three matches without a win at Edgar Street (excluding today's FA Cup match with Arlesey Town) and just one draw could undermine Hereford's early good work and Turner needs a spark to change their luck.

That might come in the shape of midfielder Ben Smith who is getting ever closer to a starting place after successfully coming through a practice match in midweek.

The 23-year-old impressed in pre-season before dislocating his shoulder and with a background that includes time at Arsenal and Reading has the pedigree to transform Hereford's fortunes in front of goal by creating more scoring chances