Monday, August 26, 2002

A FIRST-half brace from Wayne Curtis sentenced Hereford United to a 2-1 defeat against Morecambe in an entertaining Nationwide Conference clash at Edgar Street.

The lively front-man netted twice with confident finishes, which paved the way for United's second defeat in three days.

The Bulls were given a glimmer of hope when visiting defender Dave McKearney was sent-off in the 42nd minute following two bookable offences.

Although United's leading scorer Jamie Pitman reduced the deficit with a

superb left-foot strike four minutes into the second-half, the Shrimps' defence held firm to grind out three hard-earned points.

Hereford started the match promisingly and will rue a golden opportunity spurned by new striker Steve Guinan in the11th minute.

An accurate deep left-wing cross from Michael Rose picked out Guinan near the penalty spot but the striker's powerful header cannoned against the crossbar.

Within seven minutes of that miss the Lancashire outfit had taken the lead when the Hereford defence fail to clear and Curtis drilled a low shot past Matt Baker from 16 yards.

The Shrimps almost doubled their advantage soon afterwards but Lee Elam's skimming drrive was pushed around the post by the diving Baker.

The Lancashire club continued to create the best goal-scoring opportunities

and they extended their lead four minutes before the break.

Again Curtis caused problems inside the Hereford area and, after holding off

a challenge from Richard Teesdale, he turned inside and hammered an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the net.

A minute before the interval Morecambe were reduced to 10-men when McKearney was dismissed, and the Bulls looked to be back in business when Pitman scored in the 49th minute, rifling home a fine pull back from second-half substitute John Grant.

The Bulls pressed for an equaliser without creating any clear openings, and Baker was forced into pulling off an excellent point-blank stop to deny Curtis his hat-trick in the 56th minute.

With the clock ticking down Hereford threw players forward in an effort to salvage a point and the nearest they came was Ian Wright's volley which sailed wide in the third minute of stoppage time.

Hereford: Baker 6, Clarke 6, Rose 6, Wright 6, James 8, Pitman 7, Parry 6, Williams 7, Sawyers 5 (Purdie 46, 7), Teedale 6 (Grant 46, 7), Guinan 6 , Voice 87). Subs (not used): Griffiths, Gough.

Star man: Tony James.

Attendance: 2,106.