A WEEKEND free of games provides an opportunity to assess Hereford United's season so far.

And the report has to read: "Good, but there's plenty of room for improvement."

The memorable FA Cup run, which saw them beat two Football League sides in York and Hartlepool and come so close to toppling Premiership high-flyers Leicester City, has restored the Bulls' Cup-fighting traditions and, most importantly, earned them some vital cash which will keep the wolf from the door for a while longer.

But Cup glory should only be a minor distraction to the ultimate aim, which is to regain the Football League place they lost three years ago.

The Cup run has yet to have the necessary effect on their league form, which remains inconsistent and sees them stuck in mid-table.

The early-season 4-0 victory over title favourites Rushden and Diamonds, who by all accounts were lucky not to lose by a greater margin, showed exactly what the Bulls are capable of when firing on all cylinders.

The problem has been carrying that sort of form into the less glamorous games, and defeats against the likes of Welling, Hayes and Altrincham have proved serious setbacks in their bid to get into the thick of the title race.

Failure to hang on to the lead in both festive derby games against Kidderminster Harriers also proved costly, and they could have been four points and four places better off had they taken maximum points.

But as has been said often, no side looks like running away with the title this season, and it will only take a good run of results to hoist them back in contention.

There are only 10 points between them and current leaders Rushden, and if they can beat Altrincham in their next league game in two weeks' time, it could be the start of something big for Graham Turner's men.