Hereford'S poor run of results continued with a narrow defeat to Dover in the Nationwide Conference on Tuesday.

But this was far from a poor performance and they could consider themselves unlucky not to have gained at least a point, particularly after striking the woodwork in each half.

In a hard-fought yet largely uneventful first half, United looked far more comfortable on the ball against a Dover side without a Conference victory since the start of the year.

And they should have opened the scoring when Paul Sturgess provided a superb cross from the left for the unmarked Rob Elmes. But the United front man headed against the bar with Dover keeper Paul Hyde well beaten.

A goal at that stage would surely have changed the complexion of the game.

In the event, it was Dover who grabbed an all-important and well-worked goal in the 40th minute.

It came as Lee McRobert switched play with a sublime cross-field ball that picked out Neil Le Bihan overlapping on the left flank.

And, after Le Bihan had done wonderfully well to ride a full-blooded challenge from John Snape, the midfielder's cross to the near post was emphatically volleyed home by local lad Matt Carruthers.

In the second half United continued to use the ball better against a tenacious yet limited Dover side.

And although chances remained at a premium, United were again cursing their misfortunes when Snape's venomously-struck snap-shot from 30 yards smacked against the bar, with the rebound dropping unkindly for the incoming Gavin Williams.

If there was a moment in this match that exemplified United's fortunes of late, this was undoubtedly it.

Nevertheless, the visitors seldom troubled Hyde from that point as Athletic held on to secure a victory that should banish any lingering relegation fears for the Kent club.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, James, Quiggin (Parry 76 mins), Snape, Elmes, Williams, Crowe (Shirley 45 mins). Subs not used: Wall, Baker, Giddings.

Dover: Hyde, Munday (Pluck 83 mins), Norman, Leberl, Shearer, Strouts, Chapman, Le Bihan (Brown 76 mins), Vansittart, Carruthers, McRobert. Subs not used: Hockton, Hales, Okafar.

Referee: P Nelin (Frimley).

Attendance: 1,072.