A disappointing day for Hereford at Scarborough. The only goal of the game coming in the 28th minute for the home side. And whilst Paul Caddis brought on most of his subs including strikers Andy Williams and Jason Cowley they couldn't manage an equaliser.
That means Hereford have gained just one point from their last four matches, the one coming from a draw at Marine three weeks ago. Since then defeats at home to Darlington, away at Rushall and yesterday at Scarborough.
Had Hereford taken all twelve points from those games, which seemed a distinct possibilty after an impressive February, they would now be in second position. Instead they are in eighth and to make matters worse some clubs above them have played up to three games less.
The play-offs looked a long way away when the referee blow the final whistle. But often it only takes a win to get the show back on the road and it could come next Saturday at Edgar Street. You have to hope.
Given it's a long way, we travelled up on Friday via Manchester to see family. Then onto a village pub, the Scotts Arms, just outside Wetherby. Highly recommended. Then a hour or so in Wetherby before arriving at Scarborough's stadium.
Plenty of time for a brisk walk to the sea-front. Which, given it's the middle of March, was quite busy and surprisingly warm. Suitably refreshed I looked for the team news, no Kyle Howkins, not a good start.
Any one doing media has to check in before being allowed inside the stadium. Some clubs are better than others with so-called lists. Scarborough one of the better ones. Yes, straight through.
Onto the pitch and the familiar face of Hereford's Andy Walkden, does he ever miss a game?
And whilst we're putting the world to right, the Mindboggler is entertaining some of the Hereford supporters in the seated area right in the corner of the stadium.
Then the game kicked off, Dylan Mitchell for Hereford started proceedings with the away fans behind.
I'm don't often write match reports thankfully. My memory of what happened isn't good but usually I can pad any report out with pictures. Unfortunately with just one goal being scorer and that at the wrong end of the pitch, I can't get away with that excuse for this game. But I'm going to try.
A quite lively start with the first chance going to Yusifu Ceesay but the ball was easily gathered by keeper Ryan Whitley.
A few minutes later another half chance for Ceesay, who was playing on the right hand side at this stage, but he couldn't connect with a ball from the left.
On 13 minutes Scarborough had their first chance. Richie Bennett headed just over the bar. Then Alex Wiles but he shot wide.
An incident left Levi Andoh requiring attention. He returned to play for two minutes or so before the physio came on again. Tate Campbell replaced him.
Hereford won a couple of throw ins in good positions. One in particular from Aaron Skinner nearly found Matt Preston in the box.
Then on 28 minutes the only goal of the game.
Scarborough won a corner. Taken by Alex Purver it found the head of unmarked Will Thorton.
The game seemed fairly even for the rest of the first half.
Remaye Campbell tried to find a way through but an easy save for the keeper. The Hereford striker was having little support.
Both Lewis Hudson and Matt Preston were booked close to half time.
Harry Green could have doubled the home side's lead just before the break. He lifted the ball over Theo Richardson's head but it went wide.
HT: Scarborough 1 Hereford 0.
No changes at the start of the second half for Hereford. Ceesay found R Campbell who shot, the ball went out for a corner which Babos took and the keeper cleared.
Then Richardson had to be alert to deny Tear and a minute later Bennett.
Ceesay got ahead of the keeper but couldn't get a shot way.
Then probably an easier chance for Hereford. Good work by Jaiden White who sped past several player put a decent ball into R Campbell whose strong header just went over the bar.
First change of the half, McGlynn off and Glynn on. Given he had played for Scarborough there was no jeering when he come on.
Ceesay charged in to area only to land on his back. Appeals for a penalty but it looked soft. The referee was close so had a good view.
White was booked but the free kick was poor. Minutes later Richardson did well to stop a Waldron shot following a corner.
On 71 minutes Hereford manager Paul Caddis decided it was time to beef up the attack and so introduced Andy Williams and Jason Cowley. Lawson D'Ath also came on. White, Mitchell and Ceesay, who looked very tired, went off.
White sent a high ball into the box, the keeper failed to collect, it fell to Cowley who tried to slip it to Williams on his right but it was cleared
A corner taken by Babos wasn't cleared resulting in a scranble. Hudson somehow managed a shot which appeared to rebound up in air and out for another corner. This one was cleared by the keeper.
A long ball from Babos nearly found Cowley but although in a one on one situation with the keeper, Cowley could not get his foot onto the ball. Whitley needed a break so the physio was called
On 90 minutes another chance for Hereford but D'Ath couldn't keep his shot down.. Moments later a corner has to palmed out by Whitley and then he initially failed to hold onto another ball with Cowley and Hudson close by.
Six minutes of added time and Hereford were battling for an equaliser but leaving themselves open to a counter attack.
But that equaliser didn't come and Hereford went home with nothing.
Attendance 1432 with 94 in the away areas.
BN's man of the match: Theo Richardson, probably the best keeper since the club reformed.
Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Andoh, Preston, Hudson, Babos, Mitchell, McGlynn, White, Ceesay, R. Campbell
Substitutes: D'Ath, T. Campbell, Glynn, Cowley, Williams
Stats:
Shots on Target - Scarborough 5 Hereford 3
Shots Off Target: Scarborough 8 Hereford 4
Corners: Scarborough 3 Hereford 5
Offside: Scarborough 3 Hereford 2