Hereford's mid-season slump continued unabated as they were beaten by Stevenage in the Nationwide Conference on Saturday.

A 48th-minute goal by Carl Alford -- his 20th of the season -- avenged the 3-0 defeat Stevenage suffered at United's hands back in October.

Seven weeks ago, the Bulls were poised to make a challenge for the championship. Now, with only one point from their last seven games, they will need a rapid improvement in form to avoid a possible relegation battle.

According to goalkeeper Andy Quy, the effort must come from those on the field.

"Only the players can pull us out of the position. The manager and coach are working hard in training but the players have to perform and get the results we need," he said.

Hereford's financial problems have led to them having to sell players but director of football Graham Turner said he thought his side performed well.

"Stevenage are an experienced, solid Conference side but I thought we matched them in the first half.

"As at Dover and Kidderminster, however, we conceded a vital goal straight after half time.

"Robbie Dennison had a chance to equalise and should have done better than hit the side netting and Chris Lane's shot hit the inside of the post and then bounced back out. When you are doing well that sort of chance tends to go in," Turner added.

In the 54th minute United gave 17-year-old John Shirley his Conference debut when he replaced injured skipper Ian Rodgerson. And his display prompted Turner to confess that maybe he should have started with the teenager.

The first half was something of a stalemate with neither side testing the keepers. In fact, the most noteworthy event came in the 15th minute when Wiltshire referee Steve Habgood retired injured and was replaced by one of his assistants, Steve Dorr, of Worcester.

Mr Dorr proceeded to show yellow cards to United player-coach Keith Downing for dissent and Borough's Steve Berry for a foul on Downing.

The match-winning goal came when the home defence failed to cut out Ryan Kirby's right-wing cross and Alford stooped to beat Quy with a close range header.

In the last third of the game Hereford pushed forward and, as well as Lane's unlucky effort, Downing forced keeper Chris Taylor to make a save under the bar, while Shirley fired narrowly wide.

Quy was in action again late on, saving at the feet of Chris Pearson.

Hereford: Quy, Lane, Evans, Wright, James, Dyer (Dennison 66), Downing, Rodgerson, (Shirley 54), Parry, Williams (Cook 75), Leadbeater.