Brough, who had been thrown forward to bolster the attack as Hereford made a final attempt to gain something from a game they should have won, met Rob Warner's corner kick and headed powerfully past Ray Newland. Hereford had created by far the best opportunities, particularly in the second half, but again threw away two points with poor defending.

Leek's first goal, which director of football Graham Turner described afterwards as 'a joke', was the sort to bring tears of despair rather than laughter to the eyes of the United fans present. With no danger apparent, Trevor Matthewson rolled a 34th-minute back-pass towards Chris MacKenzie. The United goalkeeper lost his footing and was only able to push the ball into the path of Wayne Biggins who netted his first goal for Leek from a narrow angle.

The home side's second goal showed up, yet again, Hereford's frailty at set-piece situations. Neil Ellis sent in an 82nd-minute corner kick which John Diskin headed against a post. Hugh McAuley reacted quickest and smashed the rebound past the prostrate MacKenzie.

Until McAuley's goal, Hereford looked by far the likeliest winners after dominating the second half. They had gained the best possible start, equalising with just 34 seconds of the period played. Rather than aimlessly pumping high balls towards the big Leek centre-backs, United produced the game's most flowing move. Chris Hargreaves found Murray Fishlock, and the wing-back stormed half the length of the pitch before slipping the ball to Neil Grayson who once again demonstrated his ability to finish. Five goals in five games make the former Northampton man look a bargain at £20,000.

Hereford then finally looked like a side which last season was two leagues above their Staffordshire hosts, but pressure was not converted into goals, although Ian Rodgerson should have done better when he shot across the goal and wide after good work by Grayson. ''We took control when we started to pass the ball,'' reflected Turner afterwards. ''In the first half we just battered it straight down the centre-backs' throats.''

Grayson, Hargreaves and Brough all received yellow cards.

Hereford: MacKenzie, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Matthewson, Brough, Walker, Hargreaves, Warner, Grayson, Foster, Mahon. Subs not used: Pitman, Jordan, Downing.

Attendance: 1,138.