MANAGER Jamie Pitman has called on his Hereford United team to stop throwing leads away in their quest to survive in npower League Two.

The Bulls are slipping closer to the bottom two and are just one point better off than cellar-dwellers Plymouth Argyle heading into tonight’s match against Accrington Stanley at Edgar Street (7.45).

Hereford have failed to register a victory in their last seven league games, a run stretching back to the 3-1 success against Northampton on October 25.

According to Pitman, they are not being outplayed but have developed a penchant for dropping points after holding winning positions.

United have scored first in three of their last five matches but on each occasion were pegged back, losing 3-2 to Burton Albion, drawing 1-1 at Plymouth and losing 2-1 at home to Port Vale on Boxing Day.

They also clawed their way back from two goals down against Rotherham before going on to lose 3-2.

Pitman knows it is a trend that has to be bucked if the Bulls are to pull clear of safety, starting against Accrington.

He said: “It’s a frustrating situation but we’ve got to make sure it changes quickly because you have to win games. ‘Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve’ will get you relegated.

“We always try to pick a team that’s going to win a game but also we’ve got to pick a team that isn’t going to lose a game as well because we can’t keep losing leads like we have done.

“We have got to make sure that we win those games and understand how to shut out matches.

“If that means we have to change personnel, then we will.”

One player who could come in is captain and centre-half Stefan Stam who was on the bench against Port Vale following two months out with a knee injury.

Tom Barkhuizen, whose loan from Blackpool is due to end after the trip to Burton Albion on Monday, will also be looking to add to his tally of seven goals.

Pitman added: “Stefan can be very influential to us as a group and on the pitch. He showed that last year when he came in and was fantastic.

“We just have to make sure he is fit and is going to stay fit.”

In-form Accrington have won their last four games, but have only triumphed twice on the road this season.