Cambridge United 2 Hereford United 1

MEMORIES of Hereford's brilliant display against Scarborough on Saturday faded quickly as the Bulls slipped to a desperately disappointing Nationwide Conference defeat at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Although fielding an unchanged side, Hereford never really got into their stride against unfancied opponents who had lost their opening encounter at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

The home side, who were relegated from the Football League at the end of last season, have since undergone severe financial difficulties, meaning that their side was made up largely of youngsters and cast-offs.

But they certainly gave Hereford a lesson in enthusiasm and commitment and the Bulls could hardly quibble with the result.

Cambridge's direct style caused Hereford problems and the Bulls' defence consistently had problems dealing with giant centre-forward Fola Onibuje, the game's most influential player.

Things started to go wrong for Hereford after just five minutes when they were denied a penalty.

Adam Stansfield's shot was heading for the net when home skipper Andy Duncan's arm clearly intercepted the ball.

Referee Sean Procter-Green, although only three or four yards away and with a clear view, failed to take any action. A penalty award then - and the obligatory red card - would surely have changed the face of the match.

Cambridge were, however, also denied a penalty when Dean Beckwith shoved over David Bridges on 23 minutes but went on to take the lead a couple of minutes before the break.

Tony James lost the ball coming out of defence and John Turner slipped it to 18-year-old Steve Smith who scored with a crisp shot from 15 yards.

On the hour, Hereford were back on terms.

Guy Ipoua forced a corner on the right and then rose high at the far post to nod home Alex Jeannin's perfectly delivered flag-kick.

From this point, Hereford should have been expected to go on and win but instead it was the home side who grabbed the decisive goal on 69 minutes.

Turner's shot from the edge of the area took a fortuitous deflection straight into the path of the unmarked Bridges and from 10 yards out he had little trouble in beating Craig Mawson.

Hereford: Mawson, Green, Mkandawire, James, Beckwith, Jeannin, Brady, Coldicott (Carey-Bertram 80 min), Ferrell (Purdie (57 min), Stansfield, Ipoua. Subs not used: Brown, Blewitt, Stanley

Cambridge: Behcet, Gleeson, Duncan, Peters, Chick, Smith, Bridges, Quinton, Angel (Okai 78 min), Onibuje (Duffy 83 min), Turner. Subs not used: Daniels, Nolan, Robbins

Referee: Sean Proctor-Green (Rotherham).

Attendance: 2,924,

Goals: Smith, 43 min, 1-0; Ipoua, 60 min, 1-1; Bridges, 69 min, 2-1.

Bookings: Hereford - Jeannin, foul, 84 min; Beckwith, foul, 87 min; Cambridge - Chick, handball, 50 min; Duffy, foul, 88 min; Peters, foul, 90 min.