Downes rejects fatigue excuse as Bulls risk nightmare run not seen since 1997

Hereford supporters at Aggborough last season

Hereford could be about to hit a new low if they lose at Aggborough on Good Friday as it would be the first time they've lost seven in a row since the nightmare 1996/97 season.

With Hereford being relegated from the Football League after 25 years, Bulls fans were left scarred as a final day 1-1 draw against Brighton sealed their fate.

With relegation once again looming, the first since the club reformed in 2015, manager Aaron Downes insists survival is still achievable.

The Aussie insists Hereford will not hide behind fatigue as they look to halt their losing run and respond against play-off hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers.

The Bulls have endured a gruelling schedule in recent weeks, playing 10 games in March, but Downes was clear that tiredness will not be used as an excuse despite Tuesday's 2-0 home defeat against Macclesfield being their sixth in a row.

“I'm not going to use fatigue," he told the press after the match. "We've had a lot of fixtures in a short space of time, but fatigue is in your head and it's when you decide you're tired.

"A lot of those boys are still giving a lot and I know they will so that's not going to be an excuse from us."

Instead, the Hereford boss says the focus must be on leadership, character and guidance quickly in a relentless run of fixtures, including three over the next seven days.

The players know what is expected of them and what I want," he added.

"I've git to deliver that message to them quick and sharp. I can do that individually by phone calls, by chats before the games. We regularly have Zoom meetings as a group so there's opportunities for me to give messaging."

Attention now turns to a crucial trip to Kidderminster, with Downes highlighting both the scale of the occasion and the opportunity to reset.

Describing it as a good and big game regardless of league positions, Downes said he understands the magnitude of the occasion as he has played at Aggborough during his time at Cheltenham Town.

"I know the importance of it," he said. "It's about us making sure that we show up on the day and giving our supporters something to cheer about because it's been a tough two-and-a-half week for them.

"We really want to give them something back."