Late goals again seals home defeat

Late goals against cost Hereford United dearly as Port Vale fought back from a goal down to claim three points at Edgar Street. A bumper day Boxing Day crowd of 3,097 saw Tom Barkhuizen's sublime lob hand Jamie Pitman's men the advantage but an Adam Yates strike levelled proceedings, before Marc Richards won it with a penalty.

With Michael Townsend out due to suspension, Ryan Green returned at the heart of defence. Steven Leslie was also an absentee, with Joe Colbeck making his first start since his serious injury at the start of the season. The visitors included three former Bulls in their starting line-up; Lee Collins and John McCombe were regulars in the League Two promotion season of 2007/2008, whilst Jennison Myrie-Williams was a loanee the following season in League One.

With a number of supporters still queueing up outside, a host of chances were created in the opening minutes. Vale's Gareth Owen managed to bring down a deep free-kick, poking an effort goalwards which Adam Bartlett diverted behind. Doug Loft struck straight at the former Kidderminster 'keeper, before Delroy Facey should have opened the scoring with a left-foot effort. A neat flick from Yoann Arquin set up Barkhuizen, who in turn found Facey; the former Lincoln striker had plenty of time and space but rushed an effort which rose over the bar. Following a half hearted penalty appeal for handball, Simon Clist dragged a right-foot past the far post before the game settled into a scrappy affair, on a bobbly pitch.

Facey was winning his fairshare of headers; his flick was pushed into the path of Colbeck by Arquin and the winger's drilled shot was held by Stuart Tomlinson. A counter-attack by Vale allowed Guy Madjo space to run, twist and turn before tamely striking at Bartlett. As the half drew to a close, Loft stung the palms of Bartlett with a well-struck half-volley, before United's defence was put to the test, with a number of last ditch tackles and blocks denying the visitors.

Much like the last outing against Plymouth, the second-half produced the goals with top scorer Barkhuizen showing his credentials with another fantastic goal. A throw-in from Rob Purdie on the right-wing was flicked on by Facey to Colbeck, who managed to find Barkhuizen; the Blackpool loanee nodded the ball and delightfully spotted Tomlinson off his line, placing a right-foot lob in off the far post. In reaction to the goal, Micky Adams introduced Sean Rigg, Richards and Ben Williamson with Rob Taylor, Madjo and Tom Pope making way.

However, it was Hereford who were looking the more likely to add to their opener with Featherstone volleying into the arms of Tomlinson from 20 yards. At the other end, a cross to the back-post by Loft was met by Richards, who had shrugged off the challenge of Clist, but could only head back across goal and wide. Good link-up play from Arquin and Facey saw the former power a shot goalwards from an acute angle which Tomlinson smartly saved, whilst soon after, Facey again found his French strike partner and a low-cross was touched goalwards by Colbeck, who did well to get in front of his marker, with Tomlinson denying him with a save he knew little about.

Yet, there was a sting in the tale for United as Vale equalised. A low cross from the left-wing eventually fell to Yates, who stroked home from just inside the box. Buoyed by their goal, Richards went close with an acrobatical effort following a McCombe flick. With 84 minutes on the clock, Vale struck the winner. Collins breezed down the left unchallenged, eventually passing into Myrie-Williams, who managed to sort out his feet before being knocked over by Green. Andy Woolmer pointed to the spot and sub Richards sent Bartlett the wrong-way, much to the delight of the 511 away fans. Nathan Elder came on for Featherstone, with three minutes remaining but had little time to make an impact. A deep corner from Colbeck was nodded into the side netting by an umarked but slightly surprised Purdie, whilst at the other end, Vale could have added a third but Williamson's powerful shot was superbly blocked by a brave Bartlett.

An entertaining encounter for the improved crowd at Edgar Street but again, late goals at home denied the Bulls. The result leaves Hereford in dangerous territory, after wins for Dagenham and Plymouth today. Barkhuizen looked the dangerman throughout, whilst the returning Colbeck made an encouraging performance. For all Arquin's and Facey's work, they rarely threaten in front of goal which is a major frustration for supporters. Next up for Pitman's men is the visit of Accrington Stanley this Friday evening; United desperately need a victory at home to ease their relegation fears.

Hereford: Bartlett, Purdie, Green, Dalibard, Clist, Barkhuizen, Featherstone, Pell, Colbeck, Facey, Arquin.

Subs: Hanford, Stam, Canham, Clucas, Elder.

Port Vale: Tomlinson, Yates, McCombe, Owen, Collins, Taylor, Griffith, Loft, Myrie-Williams, Pope, Madjo.

Subs: McDonald, Roberts, Rigg, Richards, Williamson.

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