HEREFORD twice contrived to throw away two-goal leads as they went down by the odd goal in nine.

The Bulls led 4-2 with 10 minutes remaining and, even with score at 4-4, Rob Purdie failed with a penalty before Gavin Tomlin won the game three minutes into stoppage time.

Jamie Pitman was forced into one change for the trip to Priestfield Stadium with Ben Purkiss ruled out after his sending off at Bradford last Saturday.

And the Bulls chief decided on one other with Michael Townsend available again after his two-match ban.

Danny Williams was recalled to the right-back position for the first time since the early September.

And Townsend’s return saw Will Evans pushed up into midfield to the exclusion of Nicky Featherstone.

Hereford made a great start when they won a penalty after just three minutes.

Barkhuizen cut in and was racing in on goal when he was brought down by full-back Jack Evans.

Purdie stepped and confidently slotted the ball past goalkeeper Paolo Gazzaniga for his third goal of the season.

Four minutes later, it was two with Barkhuizen cutting in to fire past Gazzaniga with a superb finish.

The stunned Gills tried to summon up some sort of immediate response but could only manage a shot from Jo Kuffour which drifted wide on 12 minutes.

Chris Whelpdale also fired over before Hereford moved back on to the attack with Purdie forcing the first Bulls corner.

Hereford, however, were grateful to Dave Cornell who produced a fine block from Gavin Tomlin’s effort to concede a Gillingham corner.

Tomlin did have the ball in the net just after the half-hour but the effort was struck off for offside, much to Hereford’s relief.

The Hereford attack was little seen as the half reached its conclusion, although a Lyle Taylor from Delroy Facey’s cross brought a routine save from Gazzaniga on 39 minutes.

And Gillingham pressed again in the latter stages of the half with Whelpdale firing just wide.

The home side pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Whelpdale struck home after a good run by Danny Jackman.

Within 40 seconds of the start of the second period, Gillingham were back on level terms, Danny Kedwell turning in a long throw from Simon King.

With Gillingham now looking the more impressive side, Jack Payne drilled a shot narrowly wide on 59 minutes.

Hereford, though, continued to pose the occasional threat, usually through Barkhuizen who forced a diving save from Gazzaniga after a neat exchange with Facey.

Will Evans also let fly with an effort which sailed over.

Remarkably, Hereford took the lead again after 70 minutes.

Evans’ shot from distance was spilled by Gazzaniga and Barkhuizen reacted quickly to turn the ball home.

And, with 11 minutes remaining, Purdie worked the ball to Facey whose cross was headed in by Evans.

But, within 60 seconds, Gillingham had pulled a goal back when Charlie Lee was allowed to advance before sending a shot past Cornell.

The chances kept coming at both ends and only a fine save from Gazzaniga prevented Evans from getting his second of the evening.

And, with less than three minutes remaining, a powerful drive by Lee levelled the scores again.

Then, in the final minute, Barkhuizen raced into the area and was brought down by Gazzaniga.

Referee Phillips pointed to the spot but Purdie’s penalty was saved by the keeper who, bizarrely, had not been dismissed.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Gillingham broke away and Tomlin fired home the winning goal.

Hereford: 4-5-1: Cornell; Williams (Clucas 74), Townsend, Anthony, Clist; Barkhuizen, Evans, Lunt, Purdie, Taylor (Colbeck 82); Facey. Subs not used: Bartlett, McQuilkin, Elder.

Gillingham: 4-4-2: Gazzaniga; Evans (C Lee 46), Essam, King, Jackman, Weston (Montrose 77), Whelpdale (O Lee 77), Payne, Kuffour, Tomlin, Kedwell. Subs not used: Hawkes, Davies.

Referee: David Phillips (West Sussex).

Goals: Purdie pen, 3 min, 0-1; Barkhuizen, 7 min, 0-2; Whelpdale, 44 min, 1-2; Kedwell, 46 min, 2-2; Barkhuizen, 70 min, 2-3; Evans, 79 min, 2-4; C Lee, 80 min, 3-4; C Lee, 87 min, 4-4; Tomlin, 90 min, 5-4.

Yellow cards: Hereford – Cornell, dissent, 44 min; Gillingham – C Lee, foul, 78 min; Gazzaniga, foul, 90 min.