Hereford tossed away two points and spurned a chance to climb into fourth place in the Football Conference when held by Northwich on Tuesday, writes LAURIE TEAGUE.

With 14 minutes left the Bulls were leading 2-0 from first-half goals by Gavin Mahon and Paul Fewings and looked safe.

But an inspirational double substitution - both Carwyn Williams and Neil Illman scored - by Northwich manager Phil Wilson and some ragged defending altered the course of the game.

In the 76th minute Williams cut into the penalty box from the right to give keeper Andy Quy no chance.

Eleven minutes later Northwich keeper Dean Greygoose saved from Mahon and pumped the ball towards the Meadow End. United's players scuttled back hastily but were not properly organised as Illman, again from the right, surged forward to beat Quy.

United then forced five corners in a desperate but unavailing attempt to regain the lead.

United's opening goal came in the 14th minute after a handling offence by Mark Birch which resulted in a penalty - their sixth in 11 games - converted by Mahon.

On the half-hour Paul Fewings made it 2-0 by sliding home a raking cross from skipper Ian Rodgerson. Ten minutes later, however, Hereford had a setback when the lively Fewings was stretchered off with a torn hamstring.

After this United wasted a number of chances to kill off Northwich.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Wright, Walker, James, Lane, Mahon, Snape, Taylor, Fewings (Leadbeater 40 min), Williams. Subs not used: Evans, Cross.