A lack of a cutting edge again proved to be key as Hereford lost 2-0 at home to Spennymoor Town this afternoon.
Despite dominating the second half and exerting a lot of pressure, Moors keeper Dale Eve didn't really have much to do, and it's in the final third of the pitch where the Bulls' problems clearly lie. That and gifting opponents soft goals.
This time last season, Hereford had Lenell John-Lewis up front, whereas Jamie Grimes was the reassuring presence at the back.
You would hope that Krystian Pearce - who wasn't in the squad today - would be 'the new Grimes' while it is is way too early to judge Dan Smith.
But despite still being very early in the season, there are grounds for concern and Hereford will need to pick up points fast before attendances could start dwindling.
Hereford went into the game on the back of an encouraging 0-0 draw at Telford on Bank Holiday Monday, which followed a heavy 4-1 home reverse to title favourites AFC Fylde.
Zeli Ismail started in place of Ryan McLean and deservedly got the sponsor's man-of-the-match following a promising display.
Hereford started the brighter of the two sides and had a couple of Tom Owen-Evans shots to show for their efforts, while George Forsyth had a free kick that went narrowly over.
However, Spennymoor started to grow into the game and took the lead in the 24th minute.
Nice play by Scott McLean and Rob Ramshaw set up Glen Taylor on the left, who rifled home an angled drive.
Shortly afterwards, Taylor headed over before the lethal marksman did make it 2-0 four minutes before the break.
This time, Adriano Moke capitalised on Hereford losing possession to set up Taylor, who made no mistake with a low finish.
Hereford made a double change at half time, bringing on McLean and Mitch Hancox for Owen-Evans and Yan Klukowski respectively.
Miles Storey had already had an effort sail over before Hereford really started to up the tempo with a number of corners forced.
One of those was when Forsyth saw a shot go behind after Spennymoor managed to scramble away a goalmouth scramble.
Hereford continued to be the side in the ascendency, but it was the final ball that continued to let them down.
Maziar Kouhyar came on with 10 minutes remaining as Gowling made his final change.
In the 84th minute, Smith had a shot saved by Eve while Kouyar's pass was cut out.
Then in stoppage time, Hereford were awarded a penalty following a foul by John Lufudu.
But like Joey Butlin's spot-kick on the opening day of the season, McLean's effort was poor and it was easily saved by Eve. And that summed up the Bulls' afternoon.
Hereford (4-2-3-1): Hall; Hodgkiss, Pollock, Haines, Lloyd; Forsyth, Klukowski (Hancox 46, 6); Ismail (Kouhyar 80), Owen-Evans (McLean 46), Storey; Smith.
Subs not used: Fini,
Whittingham.
Spennymoor (3-5-2): Eve; Tait, Curtis, Magnay;
Lufudu, Moke (Hall 76), Chandler, Abbott, McLean; Ramshaw, Taylor.
Subs not used: Anderson, Flatters, Thompson, Kennedy.