United failed to return to winning ways at Sixfields Stadium last Friday when a 77th minute goal by Paul Grayson gave Northampton Town a 1-0 victory and it was the first time the Cobblers had beaten Hereford in nine matches.

Hereford remain in 22nd position as the two teams below them, Darlington and Brighton, also lost their weekend matches. In September United crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Vetch Field - their heaviest league reverse of the campaign - and Swansea will be again be tough opponents. They are lying 10th in the table and have won their last five Third Division matches.

Although 18 places separated the clubs at Northampton, there was little to choose between the sides as they struggled to muster a handful of goal-scoring chances between them. To make matters worse for Hereford, young midfielder Garry Cook, whose promising displays had provided some of the few bright spots in a gloomy season, suffered a serious injury which seems likely to sideline him for some time.

Cook remained prone for several minutes after a seemingly innocuous midfield challenge and received prolonged treatment from United physiotherapist Simon Shakeshaft before being stretchered off.

''It looks like a ruptured muscle and it's a bad injury,'' said Hereford director of football Graham Turner. Hereford recalled Murray Fishlock to the starting line-up for the first time in more than three months and the wing-back made a good return, showing up well both in attack and defence.

Apart from a couple of Fishlock efforts and two shots by Matthew Rush which failed to trouble Hereford keeper Andy DeBont, the first-half was really notable only for the injury to Cook. Northampton finally secured the points after 76 minutes when a free-kick far out on the left was headed across goal for substitute Paul Grayson to sidefoot home from 12 yards out.

Cook, Trevor Matthewson and Nicky Law all received yellow cards as did three Northampton players.

Hereford: DeBont, Norton, Fishlock, Smith, Matthewson, Law, Cook (Warner 45 mins), Hargreaves, A. Foster, Cross, Brough (I. Foster 77 mins). Sub not used: Mahon.

Attendance: 4,238.