TWO goals in a three-minute spell in the second-half put paid to 10-man Hereford's hopes at Keys Park on Monday evening.

United had outplayed the unbeaten home side in the first period and looked a good bet for at least a point when Mark Taylor put them in front from the penalty spot. But, after Chris Lane was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 63rd minute, things went from bad to worse and it did not take long for the Pitmen to make their numerical superiority count.

Although Tony James made a promising debut, there was no doubt that Hereford missed injured Ian Wright's aerial command and all three home goals came from high balls in the United penalty area.

The Bulls had soon got on top and in 23rd minute good work by Gavin Mahon left Gary Cook clear in the penalty area where he was felled by former Hereford player Russell Bradley. Taylor's spot-kick flashed past Cooksey into the corner of the net.

Cook had a great chance to add another goal 10 minutes later but failed to control Williams' pass, and then Hednesford got back on terms on the stroke of half-time.

With Taylor off the field receiving treatment for a cut head, the United defence failed to clear Lee Colkin's punt forward and the ball dropped for Andy Hayward to fire past Andy Quy.

After 63 minutes, Lane, who obviously had not heard the referee's whistle blow for a foul against Hereford, kicked the ball downfield and was shown a second yellow card.

Eleven minutes later Taylor worked hard on the Hereford left to win a throw-in and was incredulous when referee Eastwood awarded the decision against him. From the throw the ball was crossed into the Hereford penalty area where Brindley crashed a header against the crossbar for Hayward to follow up and score from close range.

Three minutes later the lumbering Brindley hoofed another long ball into the United area and when it was only partially cleared home skipper Paul Ware was waiting on the edge of the box to drive an angled 20-yarder past Quy into the net.

Hereford: Quy, Lane, Walker, Mahon, James, Taylor, Rodgerson, Snape, Leadbeater, Willaims (sub Fewings 75 mins), Cook. Sub not used: Downing, Cross.