Hereford'S rise in the Nationwide League Third Division table after three successive wins shot into reverse gear as Cambridge avenged August's 3-0 Coca-Cola Cup defeat, writes LAURIE TEAGUE.

The Bulls failed to score for the first time in nine league games and slipped from 12th to 14 place.

It was a game in which neither side created many clear-cut chances. They squeezed tightly on each other in midfield and it soon became apparent either a spectacular effort or a defensive blunder was likely to settle the issue. It was a defensive mistake which led to skipper Micah Hyde's 77th-minute winner. Nicky Law made his one error of the game when he failed to connect with an attempted clearance. Then Andy DeBont looked to have grasped Billy Beall's shot but the ball slipped from his hands and Hyde seized his chance.

United director of football Graham Turner said: ''After a poor run of results, Cambridge re-organised themselves and worked very hard for their goal. ''We, on the other hand, were a couple of per cent off the way we played at Chester on Saturday and were not as bright or as quick on the ball as they were.''

Cambridge nearly snatched an early lead when DeBont misdirected a clearance but he atoned by finger-tipping away Scott McGleish's shot. Lacking a player with the craft and ingenuity to run at and through Cambridge's defence, Hereford's main attacking stratagem was Law's long throws. It nearly paid dividends in the 33rd minute when the ball was half-cleared to Gareth Stoker, whose first-time shot rattled the bar.

In the second period Hereford exerted most of the pressure without causing keeper Scott Barrett many problems. Their one really inviting chance fell to Adrian Foster who headed wide from a good position in the 89th minute.

Hereford: DeBont, Norton, Law, Smith, Matthewson, Forsyth (Preedy 82 min), Cook, Stoker, Hargreaves, Adrian Foster, Brough. Subs not used: Hibbard, Warner.

Attendance: 2,371.