Darlington Wright Off Bulls Playoff Hopes

Webb injured

By Gregg Davies

Darlington maintained their playoff push and all but ended Hereford United's hopes of promotion with victory at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena.

Tommy Wright headed the only goal of a scrappy, wind-affected match, consigning The Bulls to a third successive league defeat and without a win in five games.

Andy Ferrell made way for Luke Webb in United's only change, as they attempted to bounce back from the 1-0 reverse to Grimsby Town. But it was The Quakers who began the livelier. Wayne Brown was forced into a low save to deny Ricky Ravenhill, before watching a second effort flash wide of his far post.

Hereford first threatened after 20 minutes, as Danny Thomas' left-wing cross found Steve Guinan, but the on-loan marksman could only poke the ball wide.

And four minutes later, the visitors produced their best counter-attacking move of the half. Brown's long throw found Alan Connell, whose perfectly weighted through-ball behind Darlington's defence sent Rob Purdie clear. But the Club Captain could only stab the ball goal-wards allowing, stopper, Sam Russell to save comfortably at his near post.

Hereford should have been punished for that miss after 34 minutes, as Clark Keltie was found unmarked in the penalty area. However, with the goal at his mercy, he flashed the ball wide.

United's immediate response saw Connell head disappointingly wide when well placed, before the half ended with the hosts spurning another promising opportunity. Webb conceded possession cheaply on halfway, but Tommy Wright sent his powerful drive wide of the upright.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between after the interval. Andy Williams' cross narrowly missed the head of Guinan, before Danny Thomas' long-range dipping volley cleared the crossbar.

Wayne Brown's reactions were tested to the full after 65 minutes, as he denied Tommy Wright low-down, but moments later the deadlock was broken. A corner-kick was initially cleared by the United backline, but the secondary cross found the unmarked Wright, whose looping header nestled into the top-corner.

Guinan in action

Both Ferrell and Tim Sills were introduced for Connell and Webb, who suffered a nasty head wound, and it was The Bulls who should have snatched a dramatic equaliser late on with two good openings.

First, Purdie's free-kick into the penalty area found Danny Thomas at the far post, but the winger's close-range strike drew an excellent save from goalkeeper Russell.

And deep into added time, striker, Tim Sills could have been the saviour. A route-one effort involving Brown's kick and Guinan's flicked header found the former Aldershot talisman 25 yards from goal, but his lob beat both the 'keeper and the crossbar to seal Hereford's fate.

United's winless run continues, which has seen them drop from 9th to 14th since the demolition of Lincoln City a month ago. Success at Accrington Stanley's Fraser Eagle Stadium on Saturday is crucial, despite The Bulls suffering defeat there in each of their last three Conference visits.

Ferrell: back in the North-East

Darlington: Russell, Horwood, Wiseman, Miller, Wheater, Smith (Ryan 82), Wainwright (Joachim 58), Keltie, Ravenhill, Blundell, Tommy Wright.

Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Armstrong, Rowson.

Goals: Tommy Wright 67.

Hereford United: Brown, Travis, Purdie, Rose, Mkandawire, Thomas, Williams, Webb (Ferrell 74), Smith, Connell (Sills 79), Guinan.

Subs Not Used: Thompson, McClenahan, Gulliver.

Attendance: 3,165