Seen it all before

This short report comes from the Times:

THE FACES OF THE HEREFORD UNITED supporters making the short walk from the coach park to Christie Road bore that haunted look of those who have seen it all before. For the third consecutive season Hereford have finished runners-up in the Nationwide Conference, but have yet to translate that league form into progress to the final of the play-offs.

The fans' foreboding appeared justified as Hereford fell behind to a powerful far-post header from Jim Bentley, the Morecambe centre back. However, the visiting team grabbed a fortuitous lifeline early in the second half when Fraser McLachlan was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Rob Purdie made no mistake with the penalty.

Hereford will now go into Thursday's second leg wary that last year they drew the away leg 1-1 at Stevenage only to lose at home.

Meanwhile Hereford United supporter Mike Worthing was asked about the goals on BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I thought they were lucky to get that (the Morecambe goal). It appeared that Wayne Brown had missed the cross and Bentley met it at the far post and put us one down.

"Knocked a little bit of confidence out of us for a while.

"It looks as though we are going to get a little bit of luck this season. We thought it was a penalty but many thought it might have been a bit iffy.

"The referee said it was so we'll take it. We are due a bit of luck."

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