Lincoln City 3-2 Hereford United

We're used to seeing goals on trips to Lincoln. There were five today, Hereford scored three of them, and still lost.

For all of the pressure from Martin Foyle's side, particularly in the second half, mistakes at the back cost the Bulls as they drop down the table and lose their first game in eight. 

Both sides came into the match in decent form. Both had won their last three, and Lincoln had their own FA Cup success in midweek when they won at Hereford exiles, or Walsall as the rest of football knows them. Given the success, the crowd looked pretty sparse on a cold afternoon, perfect for football. 2,243 turned up, with 113 making the trek over from the Shire for this Midlands derby (or so say Central News).

Hereford brought in right back Andy Gallinagh to the starting eleven, with Luke Graham slotting in at centre back after Chris Todd's loan spell came to an end. Forest Green were desperate to have him back, we hear. He wasn't in their matchday squad this afternoon. Harry Pell stayed on the bench, as Martin Foyle made just one change to the side that won at Wrexham. 

A hooter signalled the entrance of the players. I was hoping the tone might have developed into the epic that is Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. It didn't, and that wasn't the end of the disappointment.

James Bittner was the busier of the two keepers

Lincoln started the brighter of the two sides, pushing Hereford and going close after 15 minutes. Lively winger Adam Smith swung a decent ball in from the left channel to Jake Sheriden, who's effort was tipped over by James Bittner. 

Sam Clucas took a lot of stick from Imps supporters

Hereford's best first half chance came after half an hour, when Sam Clucas cut a ball from the byline to Ryan Bowman, who headed just over. 

The home side took the lead in added time. It was an unfortunate goal for the Bulls to concede, as Jamie Taylor lobbed the ball in from 35 yards with Bittner well of his line. The goalkeeper backtracked, but couldn't stop the ball sailing over his head to put Lincoln ahead. 

Referee Bull  gave Joe Heath a yellow card after this incident

What Hereford needed at the start of the second half was an immediate reaction. Again, the Bulls started slowly but after 10 minutes they found the equaliser. A cracking ball by Josh O'Keefe threaded it through to Bowman, who surged into the box and drove low past the goalkeeper.

Hereford pushed for a winner. Bowman had been holding his hamstring a couple of minutes before the goal, and he was replaced. James McQuilkin also came off. Brian Smikle and Kyle Perry took to the field, but for all Perry's effort he didn't make an impact. 

Lincoln then struck again. A long throw was flicked on, and it hit Andy Gallinagh as it ended up in the back of the net. Bittner was knocked to the ground in the crowded box, as Gallinagh clattered into him with the ball heading goalwards. 

This was a niggly game, but the officials were inconsistent. There were three bookings in the first half, and with Hereford 2-1 down, Sam Clucas was fouled inside the Lincoln half. It was a challenge worthy of a yellow card, verging on dangerous, but the referee just waved the Lincoln player away. 

With Hereford pushing for an equaliser again, Lincoln broke free and won a penalty when Sheriden was fouled in the box by Gallinagh. Substitute Colin Larkin sent Bittner the wrong way to make it 3-1.  The game looked won. 

But Hereford came straight back. A long-range low strike from Will Evans gave Bulls' fans hope, and they pushed again. Wave after wave of attacks came, Gallinagh had a volley bounce away for a corner, and substitute Phil Marsh made an impact, but Lincoln held out to extend their unbeaten run. 

There were some positives for the Bulls, but as a team they never got going. Lincoln were beatable, and although the Hereford squad is paper thin at the moment, there wasn't enough bite from the Bulls.

Hereford: Bittner; Gallinagh, Stam, Graham, Heath; McQuilkin, O’Keefe, Evans, Clist, Clucas; Bowman. 

Subs: Hanford, Marsh, Perry, Smikle, Pell.
 
Lincoln: Farman; Gray, Boyce, Miller, Gilbert; Sheridan, Mills, Fofana, Smith; Power; Taylor. 

Subs: Turner, Garner, Oliver, Bassele, Larkin.
 
Referee: Mike Bull (Essex).