INTERIM Hereford manager Josh Gowling said his side showed their visitors too much respect during a third home league defeat of the season.

Play-off chasing Altrincham thrashed Hereford 5-1 in the away meeting earlier this season and completed the double with a goal in each half.

The Bulls went behind through a Elliott Durrell volley on the stroke of half-time.

Kelsey Mooney missed two second half chances as Gowling's side chased the tie before Simon Richman sealed the points late on.

"I don't feel we were at it like we have been at home and we gave them a little bit too much respect," said Gowling.

"Not being disrespectful to any other teams here but I don't want to respect anyone in this league, we've got a job to do and we've got to get points on the board.

"We made two mistakes and it cost us the game. We did some work on them (Altrincham) in the week and knew their movement was difficult to match.

"We were aware that pressing too high and too early we would get picked off, we worked on that but didn't implement that how we would have liked.

"I thought we were a bit hesitant with our press and can do better than that really.

"We kept the ball well but when we got to the final third it was that last pass or the control that let us down a little bit.

"We worked in the week about our two wide players getting a lot wider, but we didn't really do that today and cut inside too much.

"When you look at the game we had some good chances but just didn't put them away.

"We probably had the better chances in the game and ended up losing 2-0.

"Although we've lost 2-0 it shows how far we've come as they are sixth in the table and we're 17th and the lads are disappointed to lose 2-0."

After weathering some early pressure the Bulls responded and Kelsey Mooney sent a looping shot just over the bar.

Altrincham were almost handed a 31st minute lead when Martin Riley back-pass was almost latched on by Daniel Mooney.

However, the ball beat both Mooney and Hall before falling wide.

On the stroke of half-time the visitors went ahead with Daniel Mooney's cross finds Durrell who rifled home a fine volley finish.

"The cross was in too easy, the shot, all around it could be a lot better, added Gowling.

"We were really disappointed with that.

The Bulls had a glorious chance to pull level on 57 minutes.

Good play between Rowan Liburd and Lenell John-Lewis released Kelsey Mooney, but with the goal at his mercy he stabbed wide from close range.

With eight minutes remaining Mooney had another glorious chance to level, but headed over from close range.

Altrincham sealed the victory with a second goal six minutes from time.

Jordan Hulme's shot was parried by Brandon Hall into the path of substitute Richman who gratefully netted.

"He (Brandon Hall) has come in at the end and held his hands up," added Gowling.

"It has bounced in front of him so you want to see him palm it wide. Hey we all make mistakes, we galvanize, we get around each other and pick each other up."

Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Thomas (Pope 79), Pollock (O'Sullivan 71), Anderson, Riley, Jagger Cane, Owen-Evans, John-Lewis, Liburd (Finn 61), Mooney

Unused subs: Davies, Ash