Hereford United 0 Southend United 1

Last updated : 15 March 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Forget the actual performance, it's two out of three on the three in the bottom four in a week tour March 09, it's still on folks!

An interesting penalty decision three minutes from time handed the Blues the points on a plate and pushed Hereford further into the mire at the foot of the table.

Bulls debutant Darren Dennehy did seem to take the ball with his tackle on sub Francis Laurent, who in fairness got straight back up to continue play, but in the view of everyone on the ground with the exception of referee Simon Hooper the official pointed to the spot.

Up stepped former Hereford loanee Theo Robinson drove home the penalty to give the Shrimpers their eighth victory in ten games and now only four points of the play-off places.

Three goals in three matches, five goals and five wins, not a bad ratio Theo!

Tilly threw us a curve ball when Jean-Francois Christophe was announced in the starting line-up instead of Macca whose groin injury hadn't cleared up.

Ian Joyce for Big Steve we did know about, and the chants of USA, USA from the Shrimpers faithful must have made him feel good, he certainly went on to have a good game.

Hereford almost took the lead within the first minute when Toumani Diagouraga drove a shot just wide after a neat exchange with Steve Guinan while a Sam Hewson shot then brought a diving save from Joycey.

And that was about that for the home side as play was often confined to midfield on a blustery afternoon, but Southend did show some glimpses of the form which has seen them put together such an excellent run of results.

Blues, in Yellow, certainly tried to play the ball to feet with Grant again looking as confident as we have ever seen him. Snoop Dog just likes that central midfield spot!

Bulls keeper Peter Gulacsi came out bravely to gather a cross from Franck Moussa at the feet of Robinson but the best chance of the half came just seconds before the interval, Kevin Betsy found himself in a good position 15 yards out and drove his shot into the side netting.

Gulacsi then saved well twice in the early stages of the second half when both Betsy and Christophe created openings.

But Hereford felt hard done by in the 56th minute when the elusive Febian Brandy sped clear of the Southend defence before being brought down by last man Dorian Dervitte.

Referee Hooper awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box and showed only a yellow card to the visiting defender.

Laurent scuffed a great chance wide just after arriving as a substitute, he really should have got it on target, but everything indicated that the points would be shared before the late, controversial decision.

Onwards and upwards, Wiltshire next as the play-off dream continues, whatever Mr. Grumpy says!

For Tilly's post match comments go here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1590377,00.html