NUNEATON (home) 8/02/03 A spectacular injury time goal from on-loan Jay Lovett, who fired home from thirty yards with just minutes left, gave Hereford three crucial points in their bid for a play-off place. With other results going their way, United are back up to fifth with a two-point cushion. With Danny Williams banned, Rob Purdie came into the side on the right side of midfield. Andy Tretton became available again after suspension, but Ian Wright kept his place in the side as well as the captaincy. Opponents Nuneaton included former United favourite Chris Mackenzie in goal. The first half proved to be a scrappy affair, with neither side having much joy in front of goal. Nuneaton were the first to create an opening when Carl Alford controlled the ball - possibly with the help of his arm - and fired in a shot that Matt Baker easily turned behind. Alford wa kept fairly quiet by the Hereford central defensive partnership of Wright and James, although he was involved in one of the game's pivotal moments in the second half. Hereford fashioned out a few half-chances of their own, with John Grant shooting weakly from twenty-five yards, although Mackenzie misjudged the effort and had to dive to stop the ball. Paul Parry then set off on another of his solo runs down the left and crossed the ball in, but Mackenzie did well to dive and take the ball from off the head of Ben Smith. Neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled in a forgettable first half, with both sides taking it in turns to win corners. Having been frustrated for the first forty-five minutes, it did not take long for United to take the lead. Mackenzie took the ball and cleared downfield, and his opposite number Baker then claimed the ball well under pressure from Mark Quayle. Baker's throw-out fell to the feet of Rob Purdie, who sprinted forward, turned Michael Love inside out and then put over the perfect cross for John Grant to dive and head home his third goal of the season. Hereford's wide players were causing Boro plenty of problems, but United could not capitalise on this due to a largely ineffectual display from the centre of midfield, with Ben Smith in particular being unusually quiet. Boro's central defenders Barry Williams and Jon Dyson also worked very hard to snuff out any threat from Hereford. Paul Parry, as ever, was creating opportunities down the left flank, but many of his teasing low crosses were cleared away. On one occasion however he cut inside full-back Andy Thackery and continued into the box, but Mackenzie came out and made a good smothering block. Nuneaton were by no means out of the game, and their first warning shot came from 14-goal Mark Quayle, who had his shot from 12 yards blocked by the feet of Baker. Like in the first half however, they worked hard but could not create many clear-cut openings. In particular, John Turner was impressive in the middle of the park and he was also involved in Boro's controversial equaliser. Turner played a high ball into the box in the direction of Carl Alford, whose path to goal was blocked by Tony James. The referee chose to award a penalty for obstruction, although on the basis of some of the other challenges that went unpunished it seemed a harsh decision. Alford stepped up to take the spot-kick and blasted the ball into the roof of the net, giving Baker no chance. Nuneaton felt they could still win the game, and brought on two substitutes, one of whom was named Danny Williams! Graham Turner on the other hand felt that only the late introduction of Michael Husbands for the hard-working Steve Guinan was sufficient. Boro continued to look dangerous but still could not find a way through and having weathered the storm the home side came back and created some chances of their own. Grant headed well wide from close range following another excellent cross from Purdie, and Smith miscued his effort when well placed. Jay Lovett then saw his powerful fifteen yard shot come back off the upright. United were not to be denied however, and got their reward in the second minute of stoppage time. Parry's cross from the left was only partially cleared, and Lovett picked up the ball thirty yards from goal. His low powerful drive flew into the bottom corner, sending the majority of the 2,071 crowd wild with joy. It was not exactly a classic, but Hereford will not mind as they managed to pick up all three points despite not playing to their best. At this stage of the season, it is perhaps fair to suggest that results are more important than performances, and anyway, isn't getting results when playing poorly the sign of a good side? Both defences were well-organised, with Ian Wright showing he has not lost any of his ability despite not having played at Edgar Street for three months. Hereford: Baker, Lovett, James, Wright, Rose, Purdie, Pitman, Smith, Parry, Grant, Guinan (sub Husbands). Subs not used: Sawyers, Griffiths, Teesdale, Tretton.
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