HEREFORD UTD 2, ALDERSHOT TN 0

SEVENTEEN matches to go and Aldershot just cannot get a run going as they try to press their claims for a place in the play-offs.

Three days after winning decisively at Northampton, they suffered their third defeat in five games.

And it was a dispiriting performance at Hereford on Tuesday – a fixture that Kevin Dillon would have earmarked as another potential three-pointer on the Shots' travels.

His inconsistent side conceded two poor goals in the first half – one an own goal by Chris Blackburn – and although they improved in the second period, never looked likely to make up the deficit.

"First half inept, second half a little bit better," said Dillon. "I don't think Hereford will believe their luck tonight with the goals we've conceded because they were very poor.

"The two goals did it for them. Apart from that, I don't think our keeper had a save to make. It was very disappointing.

"Our centre forward (Marvin Morgan) was terrific again, but he needs the people around him to anticipate, to have a gamble."

Edgar Street has not been a happy hunting ground for Aldershot and perhaps it was a bad omen when the kick-off was delayed for several minutes while stewards and players tried to capture a stray dog.

It was pretty poor fare for a sparse crowd of 1,576, but Aldershot were at least positive, with Morgan again ready to mix it and Andy Sandell and Ben Herd raiding down the flanks.

However, the visitors struggled to turn possession into decent chances and it was Hereford who got the breakthrough on 27 minutes, albeit with generous help from the usually reliable Aldershot defence.

Blackburn, having a night he will want to forget, attempted a back header that left keeper Steve Henderson stranded, and Gavin McCallum nipped in to score.

A second hammer blow followed eight minutes later. After a mazy run down the right, Marc Pugh played in a low cross and Blackburn, attempting to hack the ball clear, sliced it into his own net.

The Bulls, with a comfortable two-goal cushion, produced some bullish defence in the second half and Aldershot, though raising their game, had few clear sights of goal.

Oliver Bozanic tested Adam Bartlett with a shot on the turn and Anthony Straker drove high over the bar from close range when he should have done better.

Kirk Hudson and John Grant came on to reinforce the attack, but Aldershot weren't clicking.

Straker did superbly well on a run to the byeline, only to cross tamely straight to a home defender, with team-mates queuing up in front of goal.

When Anthony Charles put two headers narrowly wide in rapid succession, Aldershot knew it was not going to be their day.

Hereford: Bartlett, Valentine, Downing, Jones, Lunt, Pugh, Mcquiokin, Gwynne, Done, McCallum (Morris 90), Constantine (Manset 87). Subs (not used): Adamson, Rose, Lowe, Weer, Elford-Alliyu. Booked: Valentine, Downing.

Aldershot: Henderson, Herd, Straker, Blackburn, Charles, Chalmers (Soares 82), Harding, Bozanic (Hudson 64), Morgan, Donnelly (Grant 69), Sandell. Subs (not used): Jaimez-Ruiz, Howell, Winfield, Hylton. Booked: Sandell.

Referee: Jock Waugh.

Attendance: 1,576.

* After a run of three successive away games, Aldershot will look to make up ground with two home fixtures in four days – both against play-off rivals.

Notts County, after their upheavals over the last fortnight, are at the EBB Stadium on Saturday, followed by the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday.