Hereford rise to 21st as Brewer's Droop

Jamie Pitman's side recorded their first victory in ten attempts overcoming Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium 2-0. A dour first-half was brightened by Will Evans first senior strike to hand United a slender advantage at the break; Thomas Barkhuizen saw his penalty kick saved, following a red card for Andrew Corbett before Yoann Arquin's delightful long-range shot flew into the corner in front of the away supporters to seal three points.

With Rob Purdie unavailable due to suspension, Evans, signed only yesterday from Swindon on a permanent deal, was handed a start in the centre of the park. Former Bull Tony James passed a late fitness test to take his place amongst the starting eleven for Albion, who also included former trialist Jacques Maghoma.

The first twenty minutes was a complete non event; both sides failed to create any chances and the majority of the game was played up in the air, with Hereford's reliance on the long-ball paying no dividends initially. It was Burton who threatened first; Calvin Zola linked up with strike partner Billy Kee, with the in-form former Leicester man sending a weak shot straight at Adam Bartlett. In the 23rd minute, Hereford took an unlikely lead. A cross from Joe Colbeck wasn't dealt with at the back-post and Barkhuizen teed up Evans; the youngster dummied to go past his marker and superbly swept the ball into the corner to the delight of the 250 or so travelling support.

Following the opener, the game livened up and the Bulls could have been celebrating a second goal had Barkhuizen hit the target with a header. A long-ball into the box was headed up in the air by James; Colbeck battled to loop the ball into the path of Barkhuizen, who, under pressure, nodded over from close-range. At the other end, Zola escaped the intentions of Michael Towsend at the by-line before toe poking into the side netting and John McGrath struck over with a cute left-foot volley. Colbeck stung the palms of 'keeper Ross Atkins, after Facey's deft header down before Burton had one last opportunity in the first-half to level proceedings; a cross from the right by Cleveland Taylor allowed both Zola and Kee to challenge with the ball eventually breaking for Kee, with his effort taking a slight nick as it rose just the wrong side of the bar.

At half-time, Paul Peschisolido introduced former Kidderminster striker Justin Richards in place of Kee. Taylor's left-foot shot lacked power and was easily gathered by Bartlett, whilst at the other end, Clist's precise finish from an Arquin set-up was a foot past the post. Andrew Gurrieri replaced McGrath as Burton looked for some fresh impetus, although they were limited to long shots; James tried his luck against his former employers, but cleared the bar from fully thirty yards.

In the 63rd minute, the game swang even further in the Bulls' favour as Burton were reduced to ten men. Colbeck's through ball found Barkhuizen on the run and he was bought down inside the box by Corbett; the ref had no hesistation in pointing to the spot and producing the red card. Barkhuizen, in the absense of Purdie, stepped up but his strike lacked conviction with Atkins pushing it aside. From the corner that followed, Facey latched onto the cross but saw his goalbound header cleared off the line. Burton made their third and final sub as Adam Bolder took to the field, with Taylor making way. United could have added a second when Colbeck again was the creative spark, sending a ball over the backline to Facey but the striker couldn't produce the lift on the ball to beat Atkins.

Pitman made two quick-fire subs, with Sam Clucas and Nathan Elder coming on for Barkhuizen and Facey, but it was the ten men of Burton who came close to equalising. Benoit Dalibard was caught out with a lofted pass and Zola found room on the right-hand side of the box but his low shot took the slightest of deflections off Bartlett to roll behind for a corner.

After Arquin couldn't find the decisive touch from a wicked Colbeck cross, the Frenchman did the business moments later with a top class goal. A diagonol pass from Dalibard was challenged for by Arquin, who outmuscled Webster and bought the ball under control, before unleashing a fierce left-foot shot into the corner from 25 yards.

Burton tried to respond but Zola twice missed the target with headers and when he did finally hit the target, Bartlett foiled him with a fine reflex stop. In added time, Joe Heath wasted a few precious seconds by replacing Arquin and Hereford saw it out to the death; a huge three points and a confidence boosting clean sheet too.

After the dismal run of results, United desperately needed something out of today's game to stop the rut. They went one better. The long-ball system, whilst not everyone's cup of tea, proved hugely effective, especially in the second-period, where the tireless running of Colbeck and Arquin were rewarded. Notable mentions must go to Townsend and Stefan Stam, both who marshalled the backline superbly, with their no-nonsense style, whilst Clist ran his socks off in the middle, putting in one of his best shifts in a Hereford shirt. Next up for United is the visit of Bristol Rovers, who have been in poor form of late, on Tuesday 10th January.

Hereford: Bartlett, Green, Townsend, Stam, Dalibard, Barkhuizen, Evans, Clist, Colbeck, Arquin, Facey.

Subs: Cornell, Heath, Pell, Clucas, Elder.

Burton: Atkins, Auston, Corbett, James, Webster, Taylor, Palmer, McGrath, Maghoma, Kee, Zola.

Subs: Moore, Blanchett, Gurrieri, Bolder, Richards.

---