Hereford slipped to their third consecutive Nationwide Conference defeat in lack-lustre fashion against relegation-haunted Welling on Saturday.

United have never recorded a league victory over the Wings and that dubious record was never seriously in doubt thanks to a worryingly below-par performance.

The showing did not please boss Graham Turner, who labelled his team 'currently the worst side in the league'. No doubt stronger words were handed out post-match in the dressing room.

And such criticism was not unfounded as United self-destructed against their lowly visitors.

Robin Elmes shot narrowly wide within the first 40 seconds when sent through by Ian Rodgerson but Welling went ahead on seven minutes after they took advantage of marking branded 'criminal' by Turner.

Anthony Riviere centred for striker Leon Braithwaite and although keeper Scott Cooksey turned his header away from point-blank range, skipper Mike Rutherford tapped in from two yards.

To their credit, the Bulls did rally in response and Paul Parry had two opportunities to pull them level after 23 minutes.

The youngster rose to head an Ian Rodgerson free-kick goalwards but was denied by keeper Paul Wilkerson, who pushed Parry's effort away with an agile save at full stretch.

Paul Sturgess collected the ball and crossed back into the six-yard box and Parry somehow hit the bar from barely two yards out.

Parry then had another header, this time a powerful 18-yard effort from a Rodgerson corner, fisted away by Wilkerson before the Bulls equalised on 27 minutes.

Rodgerson, again the provider, placed a free-kick from the right on to Elmes' head and the big front man crashed his 13th Conference goal of the season into the top corner off the underside of the bar.

But within three minutes Cooksey gifted the advantage back to Welling with a calamitous piece of goalkeeping.

Danny Chapman lifted in an innocuous cross deep to the back post and Cooksey, a former loan player with the Wings, fumbled a relatively straightforward catch over the line.

And the visitors could have taken a more comfortable lead were it not for a wild finish from Zeke Rowe after Cooksey had beaten away a 25-yard effort from Chapman.

The second half was largely a non-event and, despite forcing five corners, the Bulls could not find a way through - mainly because of their own lack of ingenuity.

Elmes could only head straight at Wilkerson on the hour, Ian Wright hit the side netting two minutes later, and Williams headed downwards from a Chris Lane cross, but saw the ball bounce over the bar.

United had the ball in the net again seven minutes from time when Clarke finished from a Mark Taylor cross, but it was no real surprise when the strike was ruled out for a push on Wilkerson by substitute Steve Piearce.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, James, Sturgess (Piearce 61 min), Taylor, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Snape, Elmes, Williams, Parry (Lane 77 min). Subs not used: Quy, May, Hanson.

Welling: Wilkerson, Riviere, Braithwaite, Hone, Budden, Watts, Chapman, Rutherford, Rowe (Side 90 min), Martin (Harney 67 min), Barnes. Subs not used: Bailey, Edwards, O'Brien.

Referee: L Probert (Somerset).

Attendance: 1,390.