Downes lays down challenge after Bulls stop the rot

Hereford celebrates Preston's goal on Monday

Aaron Downes has warned Hereford their job is far from finished – despite a vital 3-0 win over Merthyr Town boosting hopes of a great escape.

The Bulls produced one of their most complete performances of the season in front of 3,080 home fans at Edgar Street, ending a run of seven straight defeats and ensuring they did not lose further ground on the teams above them.

But Downes quickly shifted focus to what comes next.

“What we can’t do is go 'okay, that's great, we've won against Merthyr and that's our season done' - no,” he said.

"I've challenged the players again to say 'well done, enjoy it, it's a relief and we've stopped the rot', but it's important that we go again – and then again.

"Then that gives us a great chance. Some teams have only got three games left in the season, we've got six, we've got to make that count."

With six games remaining – more than their relegation rivals – Hereford still have an opportunity to claw their way clear, starting with a trip to Marine tomorrow (Wednesday).

“We’ve given ourselves a fighter’s chance to keep carrying our season on and we'll go up on Wednesday again,” Downes added.

"They're saying the right things in the changing room, it's a good group of boys and I'm lucky I've got them. We've got six games to go, we go up to Marine and hopefully take this momentum and belief into the game.

"If we show the same fight and spirits and that bit of quality that we showed today, then we've every chance of beating anyone on our day. We've proved that this season."