BIG-spending Boston United will provide Hereford United's caretaker boss Phil Robinson with his biggest challenge to date when the Nationwide Conference high-flyers visit Edgar Street tomorrow (3pm).

The Pilgrims moved to within six points of leaders Dagenham & Redbridge after a 2-1 home victory over Morecambe in midweek.

But new signing and Sunderland old boy, Phil Gray, was sent off on his debut to put a dampener on a win that kept Boston in third place.

"Boston are one of the big spenders in the Conference and have been able to attract better players," said Robinson.

"They bought Paul Ellender from Scarborough and Daryl Clare who a lot of Football League clubs were interested in but he opted for Boston which shows their capacity to spend."

For Robinson the Pilgrims clash is an ideal match to bounce back after the disappointing defeat at Chester City which saw on-loan defender Tony Capaldi sent off.

"It's the second time we've lost someone around half time -- against Margate Daniel Davidson was sent off just before the break -- and to last that long with conceding a goal is a big ask," he said.

"But the lads worked really hard against Chester and tried to achieve that but we made two mistakes that cost two goals.

"The players were disappointed and there was a completely different atmosphere in the changing rooms after the match compared to the previous two matches.

"But I don't want that to affect them because with 11 men we would have got something out of the game.

"Boston is a good game to bounce back in though because they are one of the teams tipped to be champions and there should hopefully be a good crowd to get behind us."

Skipper Ian Wright has a toe injury but should play, while striker Rob Elmes is set to reject an offer to join Conference rivals Stevenage Borough.

"It's very flattering that Stevenage are interested in me, but it is more than likely that I will not be going," said Elmes, a teacher at Droitwich High School.

Hereford (from): Baker, M. Williams, Wright, T. James, Clarke, Goodwin, Snape, Voice, Elmes, G. Williams, Parry, Quiggin, Webb, Capaldi, Gardiner.