Hereford have sold their 21-year-old full-back Chris Lane to Nationwide Conference rivals Southport for a fee of £12,500.

The deal, which was concluded late on Friday afternoon, also includes a clause which entitles United to 25 per cent of any future transfer fee involving the Liverpool-born player.

Lane, a former youth trainee with Everton, joined Hereford in the summer of 1998 and has since made 107 first-team appearances, scoring five goals, all of which have come this season, four from the penalty spot. He marked his debut for with an equalising goal.

The Sandgrounders' 3-1 home defeat by title-chasing Rushden and Diamonds.

"Of course it weakens the side, but it comes to a stage when you have to sell a player to keep the club alive," said Hereford's Director of Football Graham Turner.

Lane's departure gave Turner a chance to in-clude former Wolves goal king Steve Bull for the first time in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Northwich.

However, he only lasted 16 minutes after coming on as a substitute before straining a hamstring, and is doubtful for tomorrow's home LDV Vans Trophy secon round clash with Reading.