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ACCRINGTON (away) 11/10/04 John Mullin's brace of goals condemned Hereford to a third match without victory, as the Bulls went down 2-1 at Accrington Stanley. This latest setback leaves United seven points behind leaders Barnet, and on current form it is hard to see them catching the Bees. Graham Turner made two changes of personnel for the game, which saw the Bulls line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Ryan Green made a surprise return at right-back, with Simon Travis being shifted over to the left. Rob Purdie also started on the left, this time in midfield. Mark Robinson and Tom Smith - somewhat harshly, given his recent good displays - were the players to make way. Despite the changes, Hereford could not have got off to a worse start, going behind with just 44 seconds on the clock. Mike Flynn's long throw into the area found Lutel James completely unmarked, and after Jonathan Gould parried his initial attempt, Mullin was on hand to follow up, forcing the ball home at the third time of asking. It was not the last time the Hereford defence were to be found all at sea. Nevertheless, Hereford soon got themselves back into the game. David Brown had a couple of shots, the first bringing a good save from Danny Alcock - only in the side after Jon Kennedy broke his leg in training - the next one going narrowly over the top. Accrington were restricted mainly to counter attacks as the Bulls pressed forward, with Tony James making a superb challenge in his own area to get the ball away from his namesake Lutel, where briefly there was a two-on-two chase. Gould also made a smart save from Lee McEvilly, evidently a man with an unusually high centre of gravity, given the amount of time he spent on the ground. Ian Craney, a constant threat all night for Accrington, also got through the visiting defence far too easily, but sliced his effort wide. Eventually the pressure from Hereford told, as Brown equalised following a good move. Graham Hyde's pass picked out Danny Williams, whose equally well-timed ball found Brown, who slotted the ball home for his fifth goal of the season. Hereford were determined to get a second before half time, with Purdie's left-footed snapshot going agonisingly wide, and Green, having surged from deep, also put a shot wide. United were lucky not to go in a goal down however, following an almighty scramble in the box in injury time. Gould did very well to block Ian Craney's close-range drive, then dived at the feet of the same player to deflect the ball away. The danger was still not over however, and Green had to head the ball off the goal line following an effort from McEvilly. The second half was a much more settled affair, with neither keeper being overworked. United however were a little aggrieved that they didn't get a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, when Williams - who in the first half appeared to be elbowed by Mike Flynn when both players were on the ground - was hacked down from behind by Jon Smith. For most of the game, Smith was very composed in defence, organising his team-mates well and making some fine challenges, so this tackle appeared to be a bit out of character. Craney had another attempt at goal go narrowly wide, and also put a long-range free-kick well over the top of the goal. Danny Williams did likewise from a set-piece, and Brown shot just past the post. Just as Accrington had scored early on, they eventually got a second goal late on. Again the goal came about after some lacklustre marking from the Hereford defence. Substitute Rory Prendergast tiptoed his way around Andy Tretton, before firing in a shot at goal. Gould could only parry it to the feet of the completely unmarked Mullin, who could hardly miss from six yards. So bad was the marking here that Mullin had a colleague, again unmarked, a few yards to his right to pass to, had he wished. Although defeat was harsh, and perhaps a little undeserved, on the Bulls, they have to start taking their chances inattack and stop being so generous at the back. Both of Stanley's goals were neatly gift-wrapped for them, and they could have scored more following some of the goalmouth scrambles that ensued. Hereford did not play badly by any means, but have to move up a gear. Already the title looks like a pipe dream, with four defeats. Accrington look to be a decent side however, and deservedly sit behind Hereford on goal difference only. If they improve their away record, they could even grab a play-off place. Obviously their players drank their milk when they were boys. Team: Gould, Green, James, Tretton, Travis, Williams (sub Stansfield), Hyde, Stanley, Purdie (sub Carey-Bertram), Brown, Mills. Subs not used: Smith, Scott, Robinson.
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