Hereford yet again lost away from home today, with their play off hopes taking a severe hit.
Two first half goals saw Curzon Ashton win 2-0 and the home side were rarely troubled in the second half.
It means that Hereford are now seven points adrift of the play-off positions having played more games.
Hereford - who started the game with Alex Bray - flew out of the blocks and twice had chances to score within the opening few minutes. First, Reece Styche glanced a header just wide before Jordan Nicholson shot straight at Curzon keeper Cameron Mason.
Those misses proved to be costly as Curzon opened the scoring. Referee Adam Herczeg deemed that Jared Hodgkiss had handled the ball and Sean Miller made no mistake with his spot kick.
It means that Hereford are now seven points adrift of the play-off positions having played more games.
Hereford - who started the game with Alex Bray - flew out of the blocks and twice had chances to score within the opening few minutes. First, Reece Styche glanced a header just wide before Jordan Nicholson shot straight at Curzon keeper Cameron Mason.
Those misses proved to be costly as Curzon opened the scoring. Referee Adam Herczeg deemed that Jared Hodgkiss had handled the ball and Sean Miller made no mistake with his spot kick.
Hereford had two good chances to level before the 25th minute. Stephen Dawson saw a free kick headed behind for a corner before Danny Greenslade's powerful drive was blocked. And then Styche had an effort parried away.
But as has been the case so often this season, mistakes at the back proved to be costly. A defensive mix up between Hodgkiss and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd gifted the ball to Charlie Jolley, who surged forward. Jolley then fired the ball past Brandon Hall from an acute angle.
That meant that Hereford had a mountain to climb in their quest to get back into the game, but they thought they had an opportunity on the stroke of half time. At first it looked like the referee had awarded the Bulls a penalty after Alex Bray was upended, but instead a free kick om the edge of the area was awarded.
But the set piece failed to beat the home keeper.
Hereford created very little in the second half and Curzon looked very comfortable. Michael Calveley had an effort tipped over the bar by Hall, while Peter Vincenti saw his pushed behind for a corner.
Jason Pope and Nicholson were also denied as the game wore on, but chances were sporadic for both teams.
But as has been the case so often this season, mistakes at the back proved to be costly. A defensive mix up between Hodgkiss and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd gifted the ball to Charlie Jolley, who surged forward. Jolley then fired the ball past Brandon Hall from an acute angle.
That meant that Hereford had a mountain to climb in their quest to get back into the game, but they thought they had an opportunity on the stroke of half time. At first it looked like the referee had awarded the Bulls a penalty after Alex Bray was upended, but instead a free kick om the edge of the area was awarded.
But the set piece failed to beat the home keeper.
Hereford created very little in the second half and Curzon looked very comfortable. Michael Calveley had an effort tipped over the bar by Hall, while Peter Vincenti saw his pushed behind for a corner.
Jason Pope and Nicholson were also denied as the game wore on, but chances were sporadic for both teams.
After two promising displays at home in the past week, this feels like it's back to square one for Russell Slade's side.
There is no game next weekend due to Hereford exiting the FA Trophy, so next up is Guiseley at home on December 21.
Curzon Ashton: Mason, Halls, Davies, Wroe, Shaw, Calveley (Doyle 81), Miller, Evans (Worrell 89), Jolley (Sinclair 81), Dimaio, Baillie. Subs not used, Askew, Beckford.
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Greenslade, Dawson, Cullinane-Liburd, Riley, Vincenti, Pope (Mooney 57), Styche (Symons 77), Nicholson, Bray (O'Sullivan 57) Subs not used: Bodenham, Thomas.
Curzon Ashton: Mason, Halls, Davies, Wroe, Shaw, Calveley (Doyle 81), Miller, Evans (Worrell 89), Jolley (Sinclair 81), Dimaio, Baillie. Subs not used, Askew, Beckford.
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Greenslade, Dawson, Cullinane-Liburd, Riley, Vincenti, Pope (Mooney 57), Styche (Symons 77), Nicholson, Bray (O'Sullivan 57) Subs not used: Bodenham, Thomas.