The Bulls travel to Burslem on Tuesday night to face Port Vale in a League Two match.
The two sides last met on Boxing Day, when a late penalty gave the Valiants all three points after Tom Barkhuizen had given the Bulls the lead early in the second half. The Bulls beat the Valiants in a pair of cup matches in 2005 and 2006, but have to go back to 1984 to find their last League win. In the FA Cup match, the Bulls won 4-0 with Rob Purdie scoring twice.
Port Vale's recent off-field troubles are well documented, but it is now affecting their on-field abilities. Defensively they are stretched to breaking point with former Bulls man John McCombe the only central defender at their disposal that has started a Football League game after Clayton McDonald was dismissed on Saturday for the second time this season. They have been refused permission to sign new players while they still have 23 on their books, but with a substantial injury list they are struggling to field a full bench. Both top scorer Marc Richards and fellow striker Sean Rigg have been the targets of circling vultures, but neither is expected to leave before tomorrow's game.
The Bulls travel after another disappointing home defeat. Bulls fans responded to the call for support by increasing their numbers by about 450 from the previous home game but they were frustrated by a slow starting Bulls performance that saw them two goals down before any fightback started. Of particular frustration was the performance of Yoann Arquin. The Frenchman's body language and attitude has been much criticised since the game, and few bemoaned his substitution. With Rob Purdie out, the Bulls could be scrambling for a left back. He joins Simon Clist and the disappearing Joe Heath on the sidelines.
Port Vale vs Hereford United, Vale Park, Tuesday 20th March, 7.45pm.