Hereford director of football Graham Turner delivered a withering condemnation of his side after they were beaten by lowly Hayes in the Nationwide Conference at Edgar Street on Saturday.

"We were a complete and utter shambles," was his verdict on the Bulls' performance.

Turner said: "After Paul Parry set up a couple of chances early in the game we lost our shape in midfield and players ran around where they liked. At half-time I told them that Mark Jones had kept us in the game with a couple of good saves. Then we go and give away two horrendous goals."

When Hereford have played badly this season they have been appalling. Saturday was one of those occasions as Hayes ended their unbeaten run of five matches.

Hayes, who netted both goals in the second half, were by far the more focused team and, as one of their players said afterwards: "Hereford did not look as if they were up for it today."

United's goal machine - they top the conference scoring charts with 29 - seized up for once and it was the first time they had failed to net at Edgar Street this season.

The visitors' keeper Matt Hodson was only extended on a couple of occasions. He beat away an Ian Rodgerson shot in the third minute and on the hour foiled the veteran midfielder with a superb diving save to preserve his side's 1-0 lead.

The Bulls' best chance fell to Gavin Williams in the 28th minute. Rob Elmes put him clear of Hayes' defence but he held his head in disgust after shooting tamely into Hodson's hands.

When Lee Charles gave Errol Telemaque a similar opportunity in then 49th minute he made no mistaking, slotting the ball past the advancing Jones from 10 yards. Thirteen minutes later United's defence were caught ball watching as Barry Moore played a short pass to Charles who rammed a close range shot into the net.

In the closing stages Mark Taylor sent a header over Hayes' bar and Leroy May, who substituted for Williams in the 59th minute, headed wide from a good position.

Hereford: Jones, Clarke, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, James, Parry, Taylor, Elmes, Williams (May 59 min), Rodgerson. Subs not used: Lane, Wall, Hanson, Cotterill.

Hayes: Hodson, Boyce, Flynn, Coppard, Bunce, Goodliffe, McKimm, Charles, Telemaque (Trebble 74th minute), Moore, Spencer (Roddis 83 min). Subs not used: Patton, O'Brian.

Referee: L Probert (Somerset).

Attendance: 1,665.

Hereford will play Northwich Victoria in the Nationwide Conference at Edgar Street on Sunday, November 14 at 3 pm instead of the previous day as originally scheduled.

This is to avoid a clash with the England v Scotland European Championship match which is being televised on the Saturday.

Last week the Bulls were pipped 2-1 by Cheltenham Town in a Central Conference match at Edgar Street.

Steve Piearce netted for United but he was withdrawn at half-time with a back injury.