Monday, December 26, 2000.

HEREFORD United's run of Nationwide Conference games without a win was extended to five at the Deva Stadium when they became the first side to lose to Chester in league act-ion since October 8.

The Bulls, beaten 2-1, turned in a truly abject first half performance which could have seen them three or four goals adrift before rallying in the second period when, with better fortune and finishing, they might have claimed a point.

United, who were without the suspended John Snape, also lost skipper Ian Wright, unwell, at the interval but his replacement James Wall played well in the second half, as did Robin Elmes, on for the ineffectual Kerry Giddings.

Elmes came closest to grabbing an equaliser in the closing minutes when his powerful header from a Paul Sturgess cross was tipped away by the diving Wayne Brown in the home goal.

Hereford held their own in the scrappy opening exchanges but should have fallen behind in the 19th minute.

Chris Blackburn raced past Sturgess and Matthew Gardiner before crossing to the unmarked Steve Whitehall. But the home side's leading scorer, with an open goal gaping, hit his shot high and wide to the disbelief of the Chester followers.

But the first goal was just seven minutes away. Max Beesley cut through the Bulls defence and hit his shot past Scott Cooksey from a narrow angle and into the net.

United showed much more purpose in the opening minutes of the second half but a combination of wayward finishing and solid home defending kept them at bay until the 78th minute when Gavin Williams, by far Hereford's most dangerous performer, was sent sprawling in the box.

The Hereford fans behind Brown's goal, mindful of their side's five successive previous misses from the spot, didn't know where to look as Chris Lane stepped up. But this time the young Liverpudlian didn't disappoint and his firmly struck shot found the roof of the net to level the scores.

Now Hereford looked the more likely side to score again and Matt Clarke headed just wide from a Lane cross. But, five minutes from the end, Whitehall settled the game in the most decisive of manners.

The veteran made some space for himself on the edge of the area and delicately lifted the ball over the Hereford defence and into the corner of the net.

Gardiner and McIndoe received yellow cards for Hereford.

Hereford: Cooksey 6, Lane 7, Sturgess 6, Robinson 6, Wright 6 (Wall, 46 min, 7), Gardiner 6, Clarke 6, Rodgerson 7, Giddings 6 (Elmes, 46 min, 7), Williams 8, McIndoe 6. Subs (not used): Baker, Quiggin, Moran.

Star player: Gavin Williams

Attendance: 2,244.