Hereford United will have to come to terms with the devastating blow of their elimination from the Nationwide Conference play-offs as they enter their summer break.

The Bulls, who had been hot favourites to contest the final at Stoke on May 16, must now take a back seat while they watch Aldershot Town, who eliminated them in a penalty shoot-out after two legs, take on Shrewsbury Town for the much-desired place in the Football League.

Shrewsbury also went through after a penalty shoot-out against Barnet after drawing 2-2 on aggregate.

Hereford fans will have no doubt who made a major contribution to their non-appearance at Stoke and Monday's referee Andy Woolmer would not win any popularity contests in and around the county after his controversial 21st-minute sending-off of Andy Tretton.

"He was possibly the only Conference referee who would have interpreted Andy Tretton's foul as the so-called 'professional foul' denying an opponent a clear goal-scoring opportunity," said Graham Turner.

"Our exit from the play-offs was confirmed and our dreams of regaining our league status were destroyed by that one decision."

As he seeks to re-build those shattered dreams, Turner was due to meet with his squad at Edgar Street yesterday to discuss contracts for the 2004-5 season.

There has been good news already, however, with Rob Purdie, United's most improved player in the season just ended, signing a new deal with the Bulls.

Purdie's influence was badly missed on Monday when he sat out the match with an ankle injury.

The youngster, who is in the England National Game contingency squad for the forthcoming home international series, may now earn a call-up for the full squad after a number of withdrawals.

Bulls striker David Brown is also tipped for selection after the withdrawal of Shrewsbury's Luke Rodgers, while Andy Tretton, who is already in the contingency squad, now seems certain to be included after Chester boss Mark Wright pulled out his defensive trio of Phil Bolland, Scott Guyett and Danny Collins.

Hereford defensive pair Tony James and Ryan Green have as expected been called up for the Wales squad for the tournament with begins in the Scottish Highlands on May 18.