HEREFORD United's proud record in the former LDV Vans Trophy was rubbished by rivals Shrewsbury Town tonight.

The Bulls were knocked out of the first round of the competition, now known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, by two Michael Symes goals.

Andy Williams, brought on in a triple substitution, pulled a goal back in a late rally.

But Hereford, now with just one win from their last seven games, failed to build on trophy runs to the northern semi-finals in the last two seasons.

Stuart Fleetwood fired two efforts off-target for the Bulls but Symes was deadly on 22 minutes, rising high to head in Neil Ashton's free-kick.

In the second-half, Hereford 'keeper Glyn Thompson marked his first start with a good save from David Edwards.

But Neal was sharp at the other end as he grasped an Alan Connell drive and Phil Gulliver's header.

Connell hit the bar with a deflected 20-yarder on 68 minutes only for the visitors to increase their lead nine minutes later through Symes. Williams finished off a pass from Rob Purdie 11 minutes from time but Hereford could not find an equaliser.

Hereford: Thompson; Beckwith, Mkandawire, Gulliver; McClenahan, Ferrell (Rose 73), Webb, Travis (Purdie 73); Connell; Sills (Williams 73), Fleetwood. Subs not used: Brown, Jeannin.

Attendance: 2,007.