The league table looks rather unremarkable as the Bulls' 1-0 defeat against Scunthorpe United on the final day of the season left them in 10th.
But, had the Bulls beaten their fellow former Football League side, a play-off place would've been guaranteed as other results had gone in their favour.
But in the end it wasn't to be. In front of a near-capacity crowd at Edgar Street, taking the average to the season to 2,824, an uninspiring 1-0 win for the visitors meant the season ended in a damp squib.
With only one change to the side that was thrashed 5-1 at Aggborough on Easter Monday, Sammy Robinson came into the side in favour of Jaiden White.
The afternoon got off to a bad start at Scunthorpe, backed by only 499 fans of a possible 700, switched ends - leaving the Bulls attacking the Meadow End. Both teams were full of life at the start of the game, with a number of chances keeping both keepers alert. For Theo Richardson between the sticks for Hereford, he watched on as Tyler Denton's shot from an acute angle sailed over the bar after a quick break before the stopper palmed the ball clear of Joe Rowley before he could connect with the cross. Meanwhile, Hereford were also trying to create chances, Omari Sterling-James's free-kick cleared the crossbar while Tate Campbell couldn't get a shot away while one-on-one with the keeper before the defence recovered.
Remaye Campbell, earning his stripes with his ability to hold the ball up and win headers albeit sometimes in vain with no players around him to win second balls, did combine well with Yusifu Ceesay as the ball fell nicely to Robinson - only for his effort to be blocked.
Matt Preston, an assured body in Hereford's defence which had been under the cosh at times, then saw his clearance met by a Denton volley, narrowly clearing the crossbar. At the other end of the park, Preston could've got his name on the scoresheet but couldn't get the better of his marker after getting onto the end of a Sterling-James free kick.
The free kick was somewhat rare, with Hereford stifled by a number of decisions not going their way - including obvious fouls which referee Oliver Noonan seemed oblivious to. However despite the end-to-end half, Scunthorpe managed to score the only goal of the game in the 39th minute. Capitalising on a loose pass, Carlton Ubaezuonu burst towards goal to professionally slot the ball past Richardson.
It could've been 2-0 before the break though as after a foul on Alfie Beestin on the edge of the 18-yard-box, the whipped free-kick could only be cleared as far as Michael Clunan whose rasping shot struck the upright before being gathered by Richardson.
Half time: Hereford 0 - Scunthorpe United 1
With both sides desperately needing the win - Hereford for a play-off place and Scunthorpe with an outside chance of being crowned champions but more likely a home tie in the play-offs - nerves didn't appear to creep into the game. Hereford came out after the break knowing what they needed to do but, unlike Monday, were content to be patient and not throw everyone forward at risk of conceding early on in a half.
Hereford's defence had been kept busy with a number of smart blocks, though Scunthorpe's backline had a lot of pressure to absorb too, though Hereford were not clinical or smart enough at times. Ceesay, rather uncharacteristically, seemed off the boil.
Within the opening five minutes, Remaye Campbell's header from a Sterling-James free kick was an easy save for the well-positioned keeper, while a quick and sublimely--placed Richardson goal kick saw the latter's curling strike also saved.
With efforts also wide for Ceesay, Ubaezuonu and Remaye Campbell, it looked unlikely there would only be one goal in the game. Lawson D'Ath, who was sometimes guilty of leaving too much space in midfield and, along with the rest of the team, stopping as soon as the Bulls lost possession, did find the run of Robinson whose headed effort was also claimed by Ross Fitzsimons.
Scunthorpe hit the woodwork again midway through the half as Beestin's shot across goal on the break had Richardson beaten, only to be denied by the upright. With Paul Caddis now starting the roll the dice with a flurry of changes, it was now or never for the Bulls to bag two goals and a play-off place. Though as has often been the case with throwing the kitchen sink in the search for a winner, the Bulls began to lose their shape and organisation going forward.
As full-time Scunthorpe threatened with Rowley forcing Richardson into a save and then a wide Denton effort, Hereford refused to accept defeat as substitute Jason Cowley headed down a free-kick into the path of Ceesay - only for his effort to be straight at the keeper. Cowley then found himself one-on-one with the keeper, only for Fitzsimons to be equal to the effort.
As the game - and Hereford's season - petered out, Scunthorpe were arguably the better team on the day and the benefits of training several times a week were clear as they were smarter, more in-sync and more advance styles of play were evident. That said, they were miles behind the Kidderminster Harriers teams who beat the Bulls comprehensively twice this season and it was great Hereford still had it all to play for on the final day.
Andy Williams Controls And Shoots Towards Goal
A higher league finish and more points than last year. We're going in the right direction with a real feel-good factor back at Edgar Street. Well done, Caddis. See you all in July?
Full time: Hereford 0 - Scunthorpe United 1
Attendance: 4,733 (499)
Sponsors' man of the match: Matt Preston
Hereford: Richardson, Coates, Preston, Howkins, Hudson (White 61’), T. Campbell, D’Ath (Babos 68’), Robinson, Sterling-James (Williams 74’), Ceesay, R. Campbell (Cowley 74’)
Sub not used: Skinner
Scunthorpe United: Fitzsimons, Kelly, Kouogun (Boyce 72’), Evans, Clunan, Beestin (Brogan 82’), Roberts (Fishburn 90+7’), Rowley, Ubaezuonu (Scales 72’), Starbuck, Denton
Sub not used: Fadera