Torquay United 1 Hereford United 0 (From Worcester News)

Torquay United 1 Hereford United 0

4:50pm Sunday 27th December 2009

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HEREFORD United went down to their fourth successive defeat as a relegation battle looms for the New Year.

But the Bulls have only themselves to blame after wasting the better part of the possession.

With Ryan Green returning from injury, Keith Lowe dropped to the substitutes’ bench with Richard Rose preferred for the trip to Plainmoor.

Former Edgar Street duo Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills were left on the Torquay bench.

Hereford forced two corners in the first five minutes but they could not make them count.

Jonny Godsmark was a particular threat for the Bulls in the early stages and was soon scythed down by Adam Smith but the Torquay man only saw yellow for his rash challenge in the 11th minute.

The hosts took the lead on 18 minutes when Jake Thomson was brought down in the box and Mark Wroe scored from the spot.

Three Hereford corners followed in quick succession but only from the final one of Jordon Mutch’s flag-kicks was any problem caused.

The danger was cleared but Hereford continued to press and Craig King shot just wide.

Pugh then came close to latching on to King’s flick on as Gulls keeper Michael Poke came rushing.

Despite all of the Bulls pressure it was the hosts next to go close as Adam Bartlett had to pull off a fine save to deny Thomson after the winger had tricked his way past Ryan Valentine to get in a shot.

Bartlett pulled off a fine save to keep Thomson out once more and the lively wide-man then drove a powerful shot over the top from 20 yards.

Elliott Benyon should have extended the lead five minutes into the second period when his header at the far post skidded wide.

Hereford continued to attack and force corners and Valentine headed wide from a Mutch flag-kick on 61 minutes.

Constantine should have levelled when he was picked out by Godsmark’s pass after a fine pass from Jones, but Poke blocked the effort for a corner.

Hereford reverted to a 3-4-3 formation in an attempt to find an equaliser.

But the alteration worked better for Torquay and only an excellent save by Bartlett stopped Zebroski from extending the lead. But, as Hereford hit back, Pugh blazed over an open goal in injury time.

Hereford: Bartlett, Valentine (McCallum 80), Jones, Green, Rose, Godsmark (Done 74), Lunt, Mutch, Pugh; Constantine, King (Manset 56). Subs not used: Adamson, Lowe, Gwynne, Wedderburn.

Torquay: Poke, Mansell, Charnock, Robertson, Smith, Carlisle, Thompson, Wroe, Thomason, Zebroski, Benyon (Rendell 78). Subs not used: Bevan, Nicholson, Sills, Hargreaves, Stevens, Ellis.

Referee: Steve Tanner (Bristol).

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