Gravesend 1 Hereford 2

LAST week’s arrival of video equipment in the Gravesend dressing room for the first time allowed manager Andy Ford to instant replay the goals that cost the club their 18-match unbeaten record.

They were not a pretty sight. Winter had given way to spring and then summer since the club last lost in the Conference, coincidentally to Hereford, on February 14.

The Fleet left-back formerly known as Matt Rouse, now Matt Lovell following a name change by deed poll, had put his side ahead direct from a 42nd-minute corner. All was going well for the home side until the second 45 minutes.

The first of Hereford’s two goals arrived in the 53rd minute when Andy Tretton sent a looping header over stranded keeper Paul Wilkerson following Danny Williams’ free-kick.

Hereford won the game in the 78th minute when Craig Stanley made a lightening break that left the hosts leaden-footed before passing the ball into goal.

Ford said afterwards: “I don’t mind losing to decent goals but we gifted Hereford both. Now I have the benefit of the video which has confirmed my suspicion that they could have been prevented.”

Gravesend: Wilkerson, Protheroe, Shearer, Moore, Lovell, Drury (Sidibe, 68), McKimm, Saunders, Surey (Pinnock, 88), Essandoh, Omoyinmi (Louis, 77). Subs not used: Mitten, Gledhill.

Attendance: 1,678