Hereford were left ruing missed chances as they slumped to their second defeat in three Nationwide Conference home games on Saturday.

The Bulls' failings in front of goal allowed the Somerset visitors to become the first side to complete a double over them this season and extended a lamentable run against the Glovers.

Since Hereford were relegated from the Football League three seasons ago they have been defeated six times in seven meetings with Yeovil and in those fixtures have managed a grand total of one goal.

Admittedly, the woodwork came to Yeovil's rescue on two occasions when Leroy May and Tom White struck the cross-bar, but Hereford, despite dominating proceedings in the second period, were unable to pierce a packed Yeovil rearguard.

Former Hereford goalkeeper Tony Pennock tipped White's effort on to the bar and once again must take considerable credit for the victory. It's hard to imagine that this is the man who was once beaten seven times when he kept goal for United in one of their darkest hours at Mansfield.

Yeovil's other ex-Bull, Jamie Pitman, had a mixed afternoon on his return to Edgar Street.

The boyish-faced midfielder was cautioned for hacking down Matt Clarke but had the satisfaction of providing the long throw which was flicked on by Warren Patmore for Barrington Belgrave to place the winning goal past Scott Cooksey.

Clarke, recalled to the Hereford line-up in place of injured Ian Rodgerson, is unlikely to remember his afternoon's work with much pleasure.

The red mist descended on the former Kiddermin-ster player after he was dispossessed by Paul Steele near the corner flag and his wild efforts to regain the ball earned him a yellow card.

Later he was slow to take advantage after Pennock dropped an Ian Wright header almost at his feet and he failed to get in a shot.

But the worst miss of the day belonged to May who raced on to a long clearance from Cooksey and, with Pennock flat on his back after slipping over, headed over the keeper, only to see the ball slide wide of the gaping goal.

May hit the cross-bar in the closing stages but, even with Cooksey going forward to support his forwards at deadball situations in the dying minutes, Hereford were unable to salvage a point.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Taylor, Wright, White, Clarke, Snape, May, May (Hanson 38 min), Parry. Subs not used: Beale, Shirley, Cotterill, Quy.

Yeovil: Pennock, Piper, Tonkin, Skiverton, Steele, Pitman, Lindegard (Cousins 90 min), Smith, Patmore, Belgrave, Hale. Subs not used: Wilmot, Chandler, Poole, Bent.

Referee: K Barnes (Swindon).

Attendance: 1,819.

Kingstonian 0

Hereford United 0

Hereford missed an opportunity to strengthen their third position in the Nationwide Conference in a typical end-of-season encounter last Thursday.

Both sides could have stolen the points late on, however, and the Bulls had keeper Scott Cooksey to thank for two saves in the dying minutes.

The on-loan Shrewsbury stopper kept out efforts from Ronnie Green and ex-French international Amara Simba, while K's keeper Steve Farrelly denied Gavin Williams from point-blank range.

A dreary first-half was completed when Cooksey was booked for dissent and an injured Ian Rodgerson left the field with a leg injury.

United could not make the most of early second-half pressure and were forced to weather a Kingstonian storm as the home side rallied and created chances for Simba, Colin Luckett and Geoff Pitcher.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, James, Taylor, Wright, White, Rodgerson (Williams 32 min), Snape, May (Clarke 56 min), Elmes, Parry. Subs not used: Quy, Hanson, Sturgess.

Attendance: 664.