A FURIOUS last-ditch effort in six minutes of injury time, during which their top marksman Adrian Foster scored his 13th goal of the season, failed to save Hereford United from slithering to their ninth Nationwide League Third Division defeat of the season at Edgar Street.

The reverse means that, although Hereford remain in 22nd position, they are only three points clear of bottom team Brighton and the Dunkirk spirit will be needed to haul them out of relegation trouble. To make matters worse, recent signing John Williams was sent off in the 53rd minute and could now face a three-match suspension. Before the game the United team who famously beat Newcastle United in the FA Cup 25 years previously paraded on the ground to a big ovation. But the current side were unable to take inspiration from the legendary heroes and were trailing 2-0 after only 13 minutes.

From then on the Bulls rarely looked like pulling a goal back until the dying minutes. Foster headed home a right-wing cross from David Norton in the 90th minute and a minute later he shot over the bar. Some hectic goalmouth scrambles ensued before Keith Downing rattled the bar with virtually the last kick of the match.

United's director of football Graham Turner commented: ''After conceding two goals so early and later having Williams sent off it was always going to be an uphill battle. If Foster had scored 10 minutes earlier I think we could well have got a point, and Downing was very unlucky not to score at the end.

''We have to keep battling away and we have enough experience in the side to overcome relegation pressure.''

Hereford made a bright start but their defence was caught flat-footed in the eighth minute when Christian Lee slipped a pass to Sean Parrish, who ran through to beat Trevor Wood with a ground shot. Five minutes later Wood punched away a corner but the clearance was returned to Lee who volleyed it over him. These were the Cobblers' only two strikes of the half but, despite enjoying the better of the play, scoring chances for Hereford were at a premium. They only troubled keeper Billy Turley once when he tipped a fierce free-kick from Murray Fishlock over the bar.

In the 53rd minute Dean Smith's header from Fishlock's corner was headed off the line whereupon there was a wild fracas in Northampton's goalmouth. It ended with Wigan referee Terry Lunt sending off Williams for kicking an opponent and Smith being shown the yellow card.

Despite being depleted, United had much the better of the play and Chris Hargreaves went close with a header and and an overhead kick. The Cobblers exploited gaps in Hereford's defence in breakaways, however, and only some fine saves by Wood prevented Parrish, Neil Grayson and substitute Alistair Gibb from increasing their lead.

As well as a yellow card for Smith, there was also a booking for Carl Beeston and three Northampton players.

Hereford United: Wood, Norton, Smith, Matthewson, Fishlock, Hargreaves, Warner, Beeston, Downing, Foster (A), Williams. Substitutes: Brough, Cook, Jordan.

Attendance: 3,043.