TWO quick second half goals punished Hereford for their missed opportunities and left caretaker manager Yan Klukowski ‘scratching his head’ to how his side were beaten 2-0 at Chorley.

The host goalkeeper Matthew Urwin made key first half saves to deny Ryan Lloyd, Tyrone Barnett and Ryan McLean during an impressive first half display for Hereford, but without the opening goal they desired.

Chorley punished them with John Ustabasi and Connor Hall scoring within three second half minutes to win the match.

“When you have got two good sides playing each other it’s going to come down to them moments in a game,” said Klukowski.

“They took their moments and unfortunately, we weren’t as secure at the back as we should have been. The game should have been over at half-time.

“It’s very rare that a home goalkeeper (Mathew Urwin) will get man of the match and that probably epitomises our performance and shows how attack minded we were away from home.

“Some of the stuff we played was really good, it’s just that final piece. I’m scratching my head that we haven’t come away with a minimum of a point let alone three.

Hereford showed their warning signs on the 11th minute when Kane Thompson-Sommers fired over the crossbar.

Goalkeeper Matthew Urwin was then forced into a full-length save to deny Ryan Lloyd’s effort after Thompson-Sommers’ free-kick dropped nicely for the Bulls' midfielder.

Urwin kept the hosts level again on 20 minutes denying Tyrone Barnett’s shot and then gathering the ball at the second attempt.

Hereford continued to probe for the opener and Miles Storey sent his effort just wide of the post before moments later Chorley defender Jack Sampson almost scored an own goal under pressure.

Ryan McLean had two opportunities before the break firing his first effort across the goalkeeper nd wide before Urwin denied his next shot.

Hereford lost full-back Thierry Latty-Fairweather in the 50th minute through injury and he was replaced by Jared Hodgkiss.

A minute later Chorley took the lead as Adam Henley got to the byline before his cross fell to John Ustabasi who rifled into the net to take a 51st minute lead.

Two minutes later Chorley doubled their advantage as Ustabasi turned provider and Connor Hall was on hand to fire home.

Chorley could have been further ahead on 63 minutes as Hall’s effort was deflected into the path of Oliver Shenton but Bulls’ goalkeeper Dino Visser saved his effort.

Hereford had one last chance to spark a fightback as McLean released Storey but man of the match Urwin was equal to his shot.

Hereford: Visser, Thompson-Sommers, McLean, Lloyd (Holmes 79), Amadi-Holloway, Storey, Hanson, Barnett (Jarvis 79), Andoh, Egan, Latty-Fairweather (Hodgkiss 50)

Unused subs: Lilly, Campbell