HEREFORD United fell to their first Nationwide Conference defeat with a 2-1 loss at Cambridge United last night.

Guy Ipoua hauled the Bulls level in the second-half but they failed to build on Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Scarborough.

Some of Hereford's travelling fans were stranded and so had to watch the game on Sky television after traffic chaos on the motorways.

Folawiyo Onibuje had an early header saved by Craig Mawson and then embarked on a 40-yard run only to be denied by a combination of Bulls' defenders Tony James and Tamika Mkandawire.

Ex-Preston man Onibuje continued to cause problems and Cambridge had a penalty appeal turned down after a challenge on David Bridges.

Dean Beckwith cleared a dangerous left-wing cross from Mark Angel but then both sides began to put together good approach play.

The visitors' Andy Ferrell blasted a shot over as goalkeeper Darren Behcet advanced, while Craig Mawson smothered the ball to his right from Onibuje's effort following another good run.

Hereford had a useful chance when Mkandawire sprinted forward from defence but his centre was turned wide by Brady.

Graham Turner's side paid for the miss when Stephen Smith beat Mawson from 22 yards with his right foot on 44 minutes to put Cambridge ahead.

Hereford's Stacy Coldicott connected with a first-time shot early in the second-half from Brady's half-cleared corner but Behcet claimed comfortably.

Ipoua swooped for the Bulls' equaliser on 62 minutes, heading in Alex Jeannin's corner from close range.

But Cambridge regained the lead eight minutes later when Bridges found the net during a goalmouth scramble.

HEREFORD: Mawson; Mkandawire, James, Beckwith; Green, Coldicott (Carey-Bertram 82), Brady, Ferrell (Purdie 57), Jeannin; Stansfield, Ipoua. Subs: Brown, Stanley, Blewitt.

ATTENDANCE: 2,924.