Tretton back from long-term injury

Tretton, who has been out with a thigh injury since United's defeat at Burton Albion in September, successfully completed a reserve match with Grantham played, ironically, at Burton on Monday.

"Andy played for an hour and came through without any adverse reaction," said Hereford director of football Graham Turner.

The Bulls lost the match 6-3 but Mark Beesley, who netted twice, and Danny Carey-Bertram, who scored the other, should have gained confidence from grabbing the Hereford goals.

The Bulls face a tough trip to Gravesend whose morale will have received a boost from a 1-0 win at play-off chasing Exeter City last Saturday when Roy Essandoh scored the second-half winner.

Gravesend sprang a surprise earlier in the season when they became the first side to gain a point at Edgar Street in a 3-3 draw after the Bulls had won their first five home matches.

On that occasion, Rob Haworth and Adam Miller gave Gravesend a 2-0 lead before Steve Guinan and David Brown levelled. Haworth then restored the lead in the second period and although Ben Smith again equalised, the visitors held on for their point despite the late dismissal of Chris Moore.

Turner, meanwhile, has dispelled rumours that full-back Michael Rose will be the latest to tread the well-worn transfer trail between Hereford and Yeovil, following Murray Fishlock, Jamie Pitman - who later returned - Michael McIndoe and Gavin Williams.

"We received a written offer from Yeovil which was unacceptable," said Turner.

Hereford United Disabled Football Club have progressed to the semi-finals of the Karl Waldren Cup after a comprehensive 6-1 win over Chelsea Reserves at Roehampton.

Hereford, whose goals came from Daniel Russell (2), Simon Gibson, Alan Ringland, Rob Beresford and Graham Huddart, will now face the winners of the tie between Northampton and Colchester United in the semi-final next month.

Hereford title hopes blow: Sports Times 5