Saturday, November 2, 2002

A TRIP to Belle Vue rarely provides a 'beautiful outlook' for Hereford United and so it proved in Saturday's Nationwide Conference clash which produced a 15th defeat in 19 visits.

But the Bulls were left to rue two refereeing decisions which turned the match firmly in Doncaster Rovers' favour.

The first came on 22 minutes when, with the hosts already 1-0 up, Justin Jackson raced into the Hereford penalty area to be met with a firm shoulder-to-shoulder challenge from Andy Tretton.

Jackson threw himself to the floor and referee Neil Perkin pointed to the penalty spot, booked Tretton for the 'foul' and allowed Paul Barnes to net Rovers' second.

Perkin then further infuriated Hereford by blowing for half-time just as skipper Ian Wright met Danny Williams' free-kick to loop a perfectly placed header out of Andy Warrington's reach and into the net.

Hereford had fallen behind with seven minutes played to Mark Albrighton's goal but by that stage, with more controlled finishing, they could easily have been two goals ahead.

With four minutes played, Steve Guinan robbed the indecisive Dave Morley and surged into the area. But with only Andy Warrington to beat, Gui-nan flicked his shot yards wide of the gaping goal.

A minute later, on-loan Chukki Eribenne found space on the right and drove a centre across the face of the goal, missing Guinan's outstretched boot by inches.

After failing in attack, Hereford contributed to their own downfall with a couple of horrid errors in defence. Both Tretton and Michael Rose could have cleared a Doncaster attack but Rose slipped at the vital moment and diverted the ball towards his own goal where Mark Albrighton could scarcely believe his luck as he tapped home from a yard.

Hereford produced some good passing movements but posed little threat in attack as the half wore on and Jamie Paterson thumped the ball against the woodwork as Rovers sought a third.

Wright proved his threat at set pieces in the second period, forcing one good save from Warrington but then directing another free header wide of the target when Rose picked him out with a corner.

Ultimately, Hereford had to be grateful to Matt Baker for keeping the margin of defeat to two, producing a brilliant block to Ben Muirhead's strike.