ON-LOAN defender Tony Capaldi was sent off in Hereford United's incident-packed 2-0 Nationwide Conference defeat last night at Chester City.

The Northern Ireland U21 international received his marching orders from Newcastle-based referee David Jones in the 54th minute after picking up a second booking in the space of three minutes.

The score was blank at the time of the Birmingham City youngster's curious dismissal, although the Bulls were grateful to 'keeper Matt Baker for pulling off a magnificent first-half penalty save.

Spurred on by their numerical advantage, however, bottom club Chester deservedly broke the deadlock in the 74th minute and secured a vital win with a second goal in stoppage time.

Commenting on the sending-off, Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson said: "The referee said that Capaldi's second booking was for kicking the ball away after a free kick had been awarded against him. But that was something I did not see."

Hereford started well, with John Snape firing a second-minute shot wide, but the new-look home side, under caretaker boss Steve Mungall for the first time, seized control and Baker had to react smartly to block a goalbound effort from Chris O'Brien.

The talking point of the half arrived in the 40th minute when Mark Beesley profited from a Tony James mistake and was tripped by Ian Wright as he charged into the penalty area. Wright was handed only a yellow card and then Baker dived full-length to keep out Beesley's low spot kick.

After Capaldi was dismissed, Chester surged forward and took the lead when Jimmy Haarhoff coolly slotted in a good cutback from Beesley.

Chester made sure of the points --which lifted them off the bottom --in the dying seconds when Matt Gardiner lost possession and Mike Rose's superb left-wing cross found substitute Scott Ruscoe who drilled a low shot past Baker.

Hereford: Baker 8, Clarke 5, Capaldi 4, Quiggin 5 (Webb 29, 5), Wright 5, T James 5, Goodwin 6 (Gardiner 57, 4), Snape 7, Voice 5 (Elmes 68, 5), G Williams 5, Parry 4. Subs (not used): K James, Evans.

Attendance: 1,142.