HEREFORD United renew their bid to reach the League Two play-offs on Saturday when Grimsby Town visit Edgar Street.

Graham Turner's side lost for the first time since February 3 last Saturday when they were edged out 3-2 by leaders Hartlepool United despite coming from behind on two occasions.

The Bulls are now eight points shy of Wycombe Wanderers, who occupy the last play-off position.

Turner insists Hereford still have their sights set on reaching the end-of-season showpiece but will not underestimate Grimsby.

He said: "I have a lot of respect for their manager and the way they play their football.

"They like to get the ball on the ground and I think it will be a good game to watch.

"Our play-off chances have diminished somewhat over the past three matches, which has seen the gap between ourselves and seventh place in the league grow to eight points.

"While there is a chance of us finishing in the top seven we will not give up the chase.

"It now requires a run of victories to have any chance of competing in the end-of-season shake-up but, with the encouragement of seeing Stockport and Hartlepool United put excellent runs together, it is certainly not something that is beyond us."

The United chief also thought his team were unfortunate not to earn a point from last weekend's defeat at Danny Wilson's Hartlepool.

Danny Thomas and Steve Guinan were both on target to get the Bulls back into the contest but they were ultimately beaten by centre-forward Eifion Williams' 68th-minute decider.

Turner said: "We conceded goals, which is never pleasing.

"The players deserved something out of the game - particularly for our forward play."

Midfielder Steve Jennings has been ruled out of the Grimsby clash with a knee injury, while defender Dean Beckwith remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem picked up against Chester City.

Long-term casualty Martyn Giles is still struggling with a back injury.

Stuart Fleetwood has completed his loan spell with Accrington Stanley and is now back in full training at Edgar Street.

His return to the fold coincides nicely with fellow striker Guinan committing himself to the club after the Cheltenham Town loanee agreed to extend his stay for another month.

Meanwhile, Grimsby manager Alan Buckley wants his side to make sure of their League Two status despite being 12 points above the danger zone. The Mariners won 2-1 at Blundell Park when the sides met in a televised match in October.

Buckley, who took over for a third spell in charge in November, said: "People talk about point targets.

"There is no target, we want to amass as many points as we can."