Hereford 3 Margate 0

RED cards for Simon Beard and Lee Williams contributed to a thoroughly miserable afternoon for Margate as they crashed to a disappointing away defeat to Nationwide Conference rivals Hereford.

Both men received their marching orders in the second half, Beard after collecting two yellow cards and Williams for deliberate handball.After a poor first half, the Kent club fell behind in the 49th minute when Gavin Williams chested Paul Parry's cross into the path of Scott Goodwin, who scored with a fine curling 20-yard drive.

Hereford's second goal came on the hour as defender John Shirley volleyed home spectacularly from 25 yards and any hopes of a Gate comeback were dashed in the 66th minute with the dismissal of Beard.

Hereford made it 3-0 on 73 minutes when Rob Elmes tapped in from Matt Clarke's pass and the Gate then had Williams sent off when he handled a long through ball under pressure from Gavin Williams.