NOW is the time for Hereford United's squad to show their character as men as well as players.

That's the message Bulls boss Graham Turner delivered to his team after Forest Green Rovers blew them out of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Trophy favourites United's 4-1 semi-final reverse by Rovers was the biggest blow the club have suffered since that fateful Saturday in May 1997 when they failed to beat Brighton at Edgar Street and lost their Football League status.

After a gloomy weekend Turner said: "To lose in a semi-final is the worst way of going out of a cup competition - no one remembers losing semi-finalists. It was a bitter pill for everyone at the club and our supporters to swallow."

Turner had the unpalatable task of watching the video of the game and commented: "In the first half we had a bag full of chances, their keeper made some good saves, a couple were blocked on the line and there were others that we missed. Forest took the couple of chances that they had and we were chasing the game after that."

The failure to make a Villa Park final also means that United will miss out on a considerable boost to their tight financial situation - Turner reckons it could have been up to £100,000 with gate and television fees.

He said: "We did our crying at the weekend. We've now got to show what we are made of and aim to finish in the top eight in the Conference."

They could not have a sterner task to demonstrate their recovery powers than this Saturday's home match against Nationwide Confer-ence favourites and leaders Rushden & Diamonds.

As well as aiming to maintain their lead over rivals Yeovil, Diamonds will also be striving for their first win at Edgar Street by completing a double over the Bulls, whom they beat 1-0 at Rushden in October.

United will certainly have to be on top of their game defensively as the pacemakers are the league's top scorers with 70 goals from their 36 matches and have won 10 and drawn four of their 18 away fixtures.

Turner said: " It is an attractive fixture and, as Rushden are expected to bring a large following of supporters, there should be plenty of atmosphere."

Hereford have an early chance to exact revenge over Forest Green as they visit The Lawn for a Conference game on Easter Monday. Rovers are fighting a relegation battle and it would certainly be ironic if a Hereford win helped send the Gloucestershire club into the Dr Martens League.

The Bulls will be back at Edgar Street next Wednes-day to play another relegation-threatened side, Kings-tonian, whom they beat 3-0 in October.