Hereford'S ultimately disappointing Nationwide Conference season came to an entertaining - if pointless - conclusion at York Road on Saturday.

Although Hereford had the bonus of a second minute opener from Paul Parry, they contributed to their own downfall with some hapless defending which enabled the Pilgrims to become the first side to score five goals past the Bulls in four seasons of Confer-ence football.

Skipper Ian Wright was still not fit to resume at the heart of the Hereford defence after his stomach injury and his stabilising influence was badly missed.

The Bulls, however, fielding an unchanged team, could hardly have had a better start when Parry picked up Paul Sturgess' long throw to net his first goal of the season with a left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area.

But although Gavin Williams drove over from 25 yards, only two fine saves from Scott Cooksey kept Hereford in front until the 15th minute when hesitancy by John Shirley on the edge of the penalty area allowed Jamie Cook the space to drive in the equaliser.

Cooksey and Phil Robinson then got themselves into an awful tangle as they both attempted to clear from the edge of the area and the ball ran to Ken Charlery who prodded home from a yard out in the 33rd minute.

A Sturgess cross a minute before the break gave Rob Elmes a good chance to level but he blasted over from close range.

United's leading scorer did rather better on 56 minutes, however, adding his 18th goal of the season from a Williams cross.

Hereford continued to have plenty of openings but unfortunately for them the goals came at the other end. Cook restored Boston's lead after 62 minutes and then Lee Howarth took advantage of a fortunate ricochet off acting skipper John Snape to notch the fourth after 72 minutes.

When Simon Rusk added the fifth with a curling shot eight minutes from time, Boston were scoring virtually at will and a rout seemed possible.

But Hereford mounted a recovery and were denied a penalty when substitute Steve Piearce was clearly impeded as he followed up after Nick Conroy had produced a fine reaction save from Ian Rodgerson's powerful shot.

In injury time, Piearce did earn himself a spot- kick after being brought down by Conroy. The former Halesowen striker struck home the penalty to give himself something to remember from what has been, personally, a wretched season.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess (Quiggin 55 mins), Rodgerson, Robinson, James, Shirley, Snape, Elmes, Williams Parry (Piearce 55 mins). Subs not used: Plotnek, Baker, Giddings.

Boston: Bastock (Conroy 80 mins), Clifford, Lucas, Lodge, Howarth, Rusk, Stanhope, Charlery, Town (Elding 77 mins), Costello, Cook. Subs not used: Nuttell, Diaf, Weatherstone.

Referee: M Cairns (Basingstoke).

Attendance: 1,836.