HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling says his side's work on their pressing game paid dividends despite being beaten 3-1 by Arsenal under-23s.

The Bulls took the lead after just 36 seconds when their pressing led to Ryan McLean winning the ball and finding Tyrone Barnett to net his first Bulls goal.

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"We've been working on our pressing game and obviously it worked well and we scored from it," said Gowling talking to Keith Hall.

"We set the lads targets to win the ball back in our final third, their defensive quarter and I thought we did that really well.

"We knew they were going to be a possession-based team and when you working on out of possession stuff there is probably no better team to play."

However, Arsenal responded with James Sweet heading home an equaliser before a quick break resulted in Joel Ideho scoring a second.

A third Arsenal goal courtesy of Khayon Edwards eventually sealed the 3-1 win.

"Their quality is unreal," added Gowling.

"The two goals goals they scored were just unbelievable quality in the box.

"I thought our lads were excellent, their energy levels were good.

"It's really pleasing that we've put on a good performance.

"We worked on pressing them with their backs to goal but they've just got that quality to wriggle out of things.

"I thought our lads were absolutely outstanding. They stuck to the game plan, they worked hard and we scored from it."