The game itself proved somewhat different. Hereford dominated the match for lengthy periods and Halifax had only two real chances on goal during the whole 90 minutes.

Questions were being asked by the home fans as to how Halifax had gained such a lead if they played at this calibre. We had received far sterner tests from Woking and Hednesford during previous games.

That aside, Hereford played some stunning football at times with moves being sourced from the back by the likes of Rodgerson, through Gavin Mahon in midfield to the young Gavin Williams who had an excellent game and showed some real potential for the future.

Tony Agana was also in the starting line up again, although he did not appear to be match fit yet and played the majority of the game in almost slow motion, allowing the Halifax defence to overwhelm him.

Gavin Williams on the other hand produced surprising amounts of spped when needed and could turn well on the ball to bring it back into the centre. Giving Agana, amongst others, chances on goal.

United's best chances all fell from corners. Hereford finally appear to have got their act together where set-pieces are concerned (both attack and defence), and Chris Hargreaves rose to meet a corner from Murray Fishlock which he sent just a coat of paint wide of the post.

Earlier in the first half, Gavin Mahon produced a stunning free-kick, in an obviously practiced set-piece attack which cleared the crowd of defenders and dummy strikers allowing Hargreaves again to meet it outside the back post with a diving header. The ball beat the keeper but again grazed the far post before going out for a goal kick.

As for any attacks by Halifax, their star man from the previous encounter, Horsfield, was marked out of the game, and when given the opportunity to make any sort of play showed no real threat as the United defence held strong.

Another unbeaten game which takes the tally to some 12 matches. One has to wonder why we didn't produce this sort of form at the start of the season. It has also been noticed that the current form coinsided with Keith Downing taking over the coaching, so perhaps he knows the secret that every manager in the league wants to know. At any rate, he should certainly be retained for next season along with the cream of the current team, which I believe should at least include, Gavin Mahon, Richard Walker, Gavin Williams, Garry Cook, Andy Quy, Trevor Matthewson, Brian McGorry and Chris Hargreaves. It's only a shame that we were unable to retain Neil Grayson.

The current run boads well for next season and with Halifax out of the way, we stand a very good chance as long as we remain full-time.