Hereford's problems continued to mount after this hammering at Scunthorpe in the Nationwide League Third Division on Saturday.

United's run of 13 league matches without a victory equals their worst run since election to the Football League 25 years ago and only the continued struggles of Brighton, who lost 2-1 at Lincoln, give the Edgar Street club a lifeline to cling to.

The Seagulls are still seven points adrift of Hereford with games fast running out. Midfielder Keith Dow-ning made a welcome return after four months on the sidelines with a back injury, but he could hardly have chosen a worse game in which to reappear.

Downing, as ever, worked hard in midfield but marred his display when a mistimed challenge on Michael Walsh resulted in the penalty which John Eyre tucked away to make the score 3-1 in the home side's favour.

This was one of two decisive moments in less than a minute in the second half. At the other end a Murray Fishlock free-kick had needed only a touch from Mika Kottila to end in the net for an equaliser, but the Finn missed the ball completely and play surged down field for the Iron to put the game beyond reach.

Hereford made the worst of starts by conceding a goal after just 33 seconds. Eyre's corner was only half-cleared to the edge of the box and Stuart Housham lashed a left-foot volley past the helpless Trevor Wood.

United fought their way back into the game after seven minutes when a long Dean Smith throw was headed on by Kottila at the near post for Adrian Foster to bundle home his first goal since November.

But within a minute Scunthorpe regained the initiative when Phil Clarkson stooped to glance a Walsh centre past Wood. To their credit, Hereford kept pushing forward and Foster, David Norton and Kottila all got in long-range efforts but these either flew wide or were directed too close to David Lucas in the home goal.

After Eyre's 58th-minute penalty, Hereford director of football Graham Turner adopted a more aggressive formation by sending on Ian Foster to replace John Brough, but the substitute's major contribution was to play a part in Scunthorpe's fourth goal.

His pass sold Downing short in midfield and allowed the home side to sweep forward for leading striker Paul Baker to score the game's best goal, a well-placed left- foot shot from 20 yards.

Baker wrapped things up in the last minute when Norton and Smith made a hash of clearing a Walsh cross and left the ex-Torquay and Hartle-pool man the simple task of sliding home his 20th goal of the season.

Trevor Matthewson picked up a yellow card for Hereford.

Hereford: Wood, Norton, Fishlock, Smith, Brough (I. Foster 64 mins), Matthewson, Hargreaves, Stoker, A. Foster, Kottila, Downing. Subs not used: Mahon, Preedy.

Attendance: 1,986.