Stockport County sealed a new club record of seven consecutive away victories following a 1-0 success at Edgar Street this afternoon. The points came courtesy of a Liam Dickinson penalty early in the second half after John McCombe was adjudged to have pulled the striker back. The result means United have now lost two in a row, and their automatic promotion chase is on the rocks following wins for MK Dons, Peterborough and Darlington today.
There were four changes for Hereford, with one enforced. That was due to Dean Beckwith's absense, and Karl Broadhurst replaced him. Robbie Threlfall, Kris Taylor and Theo Robinson also came in, with Richard Rose, Clint Easton and surprisingly, Simon Johnson missing out. Former Bull Michael Rose started at left-back for County, whilst one-time target Dominic Blizzard lined up at centre half.
The visitors made a lively start with a Dickinson snap-shot from the edge of the area held by Wayne Brown; minutes later Brown held on to a strong Anthony Pilkington effort from 18 yards. United's first chance followed a good Gary Hooper turn, but the on loan Southend man couldn't match his approach play with a finish, as he failed to connect from close range. Stephen Gleeson, playing against a former loan side, tried hopelessly to test John Ruddy from long-range. Good work down the right-hand side by Robinson, saw him beat a defender with a flick which he ran on to, but despite having options in Hooper and Sherjill Macdonald in the middle, the youngster was greedy, and it came to nothing.
Pilkington had two long drives in quick succession, with the first narrowly missing the far low corner, before Brown held on to his second shot. Then came two similar chances at either end, but neither side managed to find the back of the net. Firstly, a Shaleum Logan corner wasn't fully cleared, and Blizzard had a snap-shot inside the box which went just past the post. At the other end, Gleeson's free-kick was poor, but again a lack of a clearence allowed Ben Smith this time a good chance inside the area, but his placed right foot shot went inches past the post. Tommy Rowe placed a shot into the mid-drift of Brown, before Blizzard missed a good opportunity from a corner, heading straight at Brown from 8 yards. In first-half stoppage time, Dickinson's poked effort inside the box fell past the near post.
The second-half took a while to get going, with the first incident a major one. Dickinson latched on to a through ball and outmuscled both McCombe and Broadhurst to worm his way into the box. McCombe then was adjudged to have pulled back at the big-man, and a penalty was awarded, slightly harshly in the eyes of many. Dickinson wasn't complaining, as he confidently dispatched the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner in front of the travelling army of 590. United needed a response, and Johnson and Trevor Benjamin were introduced in place of Taylor, and Macdonald; the decision to substitute the latter was greeted with a small chorus of boos from the Edgar Street faithful. Jason Taylor sent an effort over the bar, before yet more subs were made. Adam Griffin came on for Rowe, whilst Leon McSweeney took the place of Pilkington. Graham Turner's final throw of the dice was to bring on Easton for Gleeson, who received a good ovation from the County fans.
The introduction of Easton helped, as United finally mustered up a short-period of pressure on the County defence. Robinson's low cross was met by Hooper's drive, but it was deflected out for a corner. Easton then delivered a cross for Hooper, who controlled with his chest, but sent a hopeful volley into the back of the Meadow End. Hooper's sidewards pass to Johnson, allowed the winger to run at the County back-line, but he cut in before sending a shot past the far post, whilst Robinson weakly headed at Ruddy. The away side saw out the final exchanges, with Dickinson continuing to hold-up well up top. Jay Smith replaced Logan late on. McSweeney shot wide following hold up play from Dickinson, whilst the goalscorer then sent a powerful effort past the wood-work.
It turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for The Bulls against a well-organised Stockport team. The absense of Beckwith was evident, with Broadhurst having a tough time against Dickinson. United need Beckwith to return, as well as Toumani Diagouraga, whose presence is sorely missed in the middle of the park. The decision to play Macdonald on the wing didn't work out, with the Dutchman looking lost and out of the game for the majority. 3526 saw the game this afternoon, which now means two straight defeats for Hereford. The last-time Hereford lost two straight league games, they bounced back with a 1-0 away win up north against Rotherham. Accrington is the next game, in a week's time; coincidentally, Stanley defeated Rotherham today at Millmoor by a single goal. The Crown Ground has been tough for United over the years, with The Bulls unable to claim a single victory there in their history.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, McCombe, Broadhurst, Threlfall, Gleeson, Smith, Taylor, Macdonald, Robinson, Hooper.
Subs: Ingham, Rose, Johnson, Easton, Benjamin.
Stockport: Ruddy, Logan, Williams, Blizzard, Rose, Pilkington, Dicker, Taylor, Owen, Rowe, Dickinson.
Subs: Logan, Smith, Griffin, McSweeney, Turnball.
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