Doncaster Rovers 4 Hereford United 0

Hereford United's battle to avoid relegation from the Nationwide Conference intensified after a humiliating 4-0 drubbing at high-flying Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

The struggling Bulls were embarrassingly outplayed by the South Yorkshire club whose dominance was unbroken after a shaky opening 15 minutes.

United appeared to lack self-belief and character as they worryingly slumped to their heaviest defeat of a sobering league campaign.

And it is virtually impossible to associate a positive word with the Edgar Street club's poor performance in one of their most crucial matches of the season so far.

Doncaster striker Paul Barnes was twice denied by the woodwork as the margin of victory could have been greater for the home side who were without four first-choice midfielders.

And by the time Hereford midfielder Gavin Williams had shown what he could do -- firing a 35-yard half volley just over the home team's crossbar -- the match was already deep into stoppage time with United trailing 4-0.

Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson said: "Pressure is obviously mounting on the lads and I think that we played like a team that is feeling the pressure. But we cannot afford to just roll over and die. We have a lot of work to do."

Admittedly, Hereford were without Ian Wright, Scott Goodwin and Ian Rodgerson, but United's players must now respond positively and promptly if the club are to preserve their Conference status.

Despite making a good start with Rob Elmes twice going close early on, Hereford fell behind to Doncaster's first real attack in the 15th minute.

A routine crossfield free-kick caused panic in the Hereford defence and Andy Watson struck a neat shot into the top right hand corner of the net from 10 yards.

Watson deservedly doubled the home team's lead on the half hour, streaking clear of the Hereford defence before coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Matt Baker. Doncaster will probably feel aggrieved that they didn't extend their advantage before half time.

Baker twice thwarted Barnes as Doncaster controlled the second half but there was little he could do to stop Jamie Squires rising unchallenged at the back post to head home a 58th minute corner from Paul Green.

Green completed the rout in the dying seconds, rifling in a low drive from the edge of the box after Barnes was allowed time and space to set up the shooting chance.