HEREFORD manager Russell Slade says he will be looking at everything in his squad as he looks to move forwards the club forward following their FA Trophy exit.

The Bulls failed to recover after conceding twice inside the opening eight minutes against the Linnets and eventually lost the replay 3-0.

Slade said that the National League North leaders were at the level his side needs to aspire to.

“That’s the level we have to try and get to and that showed that we have still got an awful lot to do," said Slade.

“Change has to start immediate because they’ve got to be better individually and collectively in terms of partnership and understanding.

“Whether that’s an inability or they are finding it difficult at this level, I have to find a group going forwards that’s capable of playing to a standard and level that’s going to give us a real chance of finishing in that top-seven, even between now and the end of the season.

“I’ve not come here to waste those games between now and the end of the season. I’m still on a quest here and I need players to go on that journey with me.

“I’ve given some an opportunity to be part of that journey but I think it’s time we have a look at a few things.

“Hopefully we get a few bodies back. It’s pleasing to see (Danny Greenslade) back, he’s our natural left-back anyway. (Stephen) Dawson is another one who hopefully will be back as he’s a huge influence going forward if we are going to grind our way up this table and be a threat.

“We will find a way to move forward and improve even with the group we’ve got now.

“But I do feel we have got to be making changes and improving the group. They need help on the pitch. I can give them help on the training ground and off the pitch but the likes of Dawson you get some help out there and knowledge and experience, that’s going to have to be required.

“We’ve got to look at everything whether it’s physical, tactical or technical, in these situations you’ve got to strip it all down, simply things and move forwards off a solid base.”

The Bulls put in a solid performance to earn an Edgar Street replay in the FA Trophy third qualifying round.

However, their defensive frailties were exposed within five minutes when Rory McAuley headed home Michael Clunan's corner.

The visitors doubled their lead three minutes later when a deflected effort hit the bar before falling to Ross Barrows to net.

The Bulls thought they deserved a penalty before the break when O'Sullivan's free-kick looked to hit a King's Lynn hand.

However, referee Daniel Lamport waved away the appeals.

After the break substitute Jordan Nicholson had an immediate impact and saw his low shot tipped wide by goalkeeper Alex Street.

Street was the hero moments later when Peter Vicenti was awarded a penalty for a push before getting up and seeing his penalty well saved.

Street was back in action to deny Vincenti's powerful header before the rebound was cleared off the line.

However, it was Linnets evening and they came close on several occasions before Ryan Hawkins' effort was palmed into the path of Sonny Carey to fire home.

“It’s a great game when you keep is simple but I think we made it very complicated for ourselves tonight," added Slade.

“In terms of going into the game and eight minutes finding ourselves 2-0 down after not marking from a corner well enough and from a free-kick in the second phase, it’s simple mark a man pick up and stay with your man, clear the ball and protect the goal.

“The goals had nothing to do with the strategy, they were basic defending week in, week out so we have gone 2-0 down irrespective of any strategy or shape we were trying to play.

“We didn’t do that and it made it very difficult to come back from that kind of situation albeit it we had a blatant penalty shout in the first period and we needed that bit of fortune or luck to try and turn the game.

“There was no guarantee we were going to score it tonight as we do get one eventually, after a really good spell at the start of the second period, we were on top and probably could have scored.

“We probably could have got another goal, but we didn’t and that was our spell to try and get back into the game.

“We had a go in the second period and we tried to put more pressure on them and get in their faces a bit more, but quite simply over the 90 minutes we weren’t good enough.”

Attendance: 715 (11 away)

Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Pope, Pollock (Greenslade 74), Cullinane-Liburd, Riley, Vincenti (Liburd 64), Owen-Evans, Styche, Mooney (Nicholson 45), O'Sullivan

Subs: Allen, Bodenham, Ash, Burwood