IAN Rodgerson's last-minute winner ended the promotion hopes of the former Bulls manager, Hereford-based Colin Addison, and his Yeovil team on Tuesday.

The home side needed to avoid defeat to take the Nationwide Conference title race into the final day of the season this Saturday, but Rodgerson struck his third goal in as many games deep into injury time to end Yeovil's dream of Football League status.

Rushden & Diamonds, beaten 3-1 by Hereford three weeks ago, are virtually assured of the title with a superior goal difference of 17.

With Yeovil in desperate search of a winner, which would have given them a realistic chance of taking the title, Rodgerson scored from close range after the busy Rob Elmes had headed Gavin Williams' right-wing free-kick back across goal.

Yeovil had many chances to win the game but were denied on several occasions by the excellent Scott Cooksey.

But Cooksey had no chance of stopping the opening goal, which came from Nick Crittenden after 12 minutes. Following several minutes of sustained Yeovil pressure, which saw many saves from Cooksey and blocks from his defenders, Crittenden coolly slotted home from 12 yards.

Two minutes later Hereford draw level when Elmes beat former Bulls keeper Tony Pennock with a flicked header from a probing Paul Sturgess throw.

Hereford eventually edged in front six minutes into the second period when John Snape lobbed Pennock to score his second goal of the season, following Matt Clarke's cross.

Seven minutes later Town drew level when David Piper met Simon Betts' left-wing cross with a diving header that left Cooksey stranded.

Pennock kept out Snape's volley and Cooksey denied Barrington Belgrave, twice, and substitute Warren Patmore, who almost scored with his first touch, before John Shirley's saving tackle ended the surging run of another ex-Bull, Michael McIndoe.

With Yeovil throwing more and more bodies forward in search of a third goal, Rodgerson pounced two minutes into stoppage time to condemn Yeovil to another season in non-league football.

Hereford's victory denied them the chance of an extra £5,000 which would have come their way if Yeovil had gained promotion. It was part of the deal when McIndoe joined Yeovil for £25,000 - a record for the Somerset club - earlier in the season.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Robinson, James, Shirley, Snape, Elmes, Williams, Parry. Subs not used: Quiggin, Baker, Plotnek, Giddings, Piearce.

Yeovil: Pennock, Skiverton, White, O'Brien (Patmore 74 mins), Piper, Way, Betts, McIndoe, Tonkins, Crittenden, Belgrave. Subs not used: Steele, Bent, Lindegaard, G Weale.

Referee: K Pike.

Attendance: 4,639.