How Cheltenham didn't get anything from tonight's game was anyone's guess but Hereford's Adam Bartlett will gain all the praise tonight for his performance.
The Robins had been knocking on the door continually throughout the second half but could not find a way through. Three penalty appeals for the Robins were denied and the Hereford fans will be thanking their goalkeeper all the way home.
Barry Hayles and Julian Alsop, also captain for the night, were recalled to the team with both Elvis Hammond and Justin Richards dropping to the bench. Matt Thornhill (hamstring) had also recovered in time to replace Danny Andrew and lead the midfield line.
Michael Townsend (groin) failed to regain full fitness in time but Shane Duff took his place on the bench after succesfully completing 45 minutes against Birmingham reserves this afternoon.
3: Michael Pook took the first shot of the game with an ambitious 35 yard strike but it went over the crossbar and into the Hereford crowd.
4 BOOKING: James McQuilkin became the first player to be booked this evening with a rash challenge on Pook.
7: Daniel Preston almost gifted Cheltenham a goal with his poor defensive header but it just creeped wide for a corner. Alsop missed a golden opportunity to score from the set piece but his powerful header went wide.
16: Cheltenham had an appeal for hand ball outside the area waved away by the referee.
17: Another good long shot by Cheltenham, this time from David Hutton. He struck the ball from 20 yards but it just flew over the crossbar.
25 GOAL: Ryan Green scored a fantastic goal following some one-on-one play with Kenny Lunt. The Cheltenham defence didn't react enough to the incoming threat and will be disappointed with how they defended that goal.
28: Marc Pugh dragged a shot wide of the goal following a neat assist by Constantine.
30: Ridley sent a long down the pitch which landed at Hutton's feet. The former Spurs youngster dribbled his way into the area and sent a dangerous cross in towards goal but Hayles could only steer the ball wide of the post. That was a big opportunity for the Robins.
31: Some clever trickery by Hayles on the left wing and a deflected cross allowed Pook to take a strike at goal but Bartlett dived low to deny Cheltenham the equaliser.
35 BOOKING: Michael Pook was booked for a foul from behind on the rampaging McQuilkin.
41 SENDING OFF: James McQuilkin was sent off with a second yellow card following a stupid foul on David Hutton. Third red card in two games for the Bulls.
42: Following the sending off Cheltenham immediately went on the attack and David Hutton stung the hands of Bartlett with a well hit strike.
45 SUBSTITUTION: Marley Watkins replaced the injured Dave Bird. Bird was stretchered off following a challenge from Marc Pugh.
Half Time: Robins 0-1 Hereford
47: Alsop missed a golden chance to equalise following a probing Josh Low cross. His header was powered down but Bartlett was able to dive low to pull off a fantastic save.
54: Marley Watkins got himself into the game a bit more with some searching runs. Cheltenham looking to ask questions of Hereford's defence.
58: Good attacking play from Cheltenham. Marley Watkins threaded a ball through to Low on the right and his cross was met with a shot by Thornhill but the attempt flew over the goal.
61: Left footed strike from outside the area from Kenny Lunt but it's a bad effort and goes well wide.
62 BOOKING: Hereford's McCallum was booked for kicking the ball away in frustration.
65: The referee played advantage following a rough challenge on Hutton but Pook's final strike wasn't good enough to beat Bartlett.
66: Some decent build-up play by Cheltenham finally led to Pook's 20 yard strike which was curling in but for another great save by Hereford's Bartlett.
69: Again some superb attacking play involving Hayles but Josh Low's final half volley from 20 yards proved comfortable for Hereford's man of the match, Adam Bartlett.
70 SUBSTITUTION: Justin Richards replaced David Hutton. Cheltenham go 3-4-3.
72: McCallum was gifted a wonderful chance following an error by Gallinagh but he blasted it over. The referee had earlier ignored Ridley going down holding his head following a 50/50 challenge much to the defender's bemusement.
75: Two massive penalty shouts for the Robins turned down and both looked blatant. The referee won't have made any friends tonight.
77 SUBSTITUTION: Mathieu Manset became Hereford's first change when he replaced McCallum.
78: Cheltenham were knocking on the foor constantly but found no way through all because of one man between the sticks for Hereford.
82 SUBSTITUTION: Keith Lowe replaced Leon Constantine.
83: Gallinagh made a superb tackle following an attacking run into the box from Ryan Green and denied Hereford a second.
84 BOOKING: Marc Pugh was booked for time wasting.
85: Decent 30 yard strike from Andy Gallinagh but Bartlett was quick to dive low and gather the ball up.
86: Another penalty turned down for Cheltenham after Thornhill was blatantly bundled over by a Hereford defender.
89 SUBSTITUTION: Hammond came on to replace Andy Gallinagh.
90+1: Great strike from Hammond but once again Bartlett stretches to parry the ball wide for a corner.
90+2; Hereford should pay Bartlett a bonus on his performance tonight. Outstanding performance that has completely denied Cheltenham.
Full Time: Robins 0-1 Hereford
Cheltenham Town (4-4-2 Diamond): Brown (GK); Bird (C) (Watkins 45), Eastham, Gallinagh (Hammond 89), Ridley; Pook, Hutton (Richards 70), Low, Thornhill; Alsop, Hayles
Subs not used: Puddy (GK), Duff, Andrew, Lewis
Hereford United (4-4-2): Bartlett (GK) (C); Green, Rose, Preston, Valentine; Pugh, Lunt, McQuilkin, Sonko; McCallum (Manset 77), Constantine (Lowe 82)
Subs not used: Morris, Gwynne, Weir, Done
Referee: A. Taylor
Attendance: 3,273 (495 from Hereford)
Robins Star Man: Barry Hayles - He was a constant threat and seemed to be at the centre of all of Cheltenham's attacking opportunities.
James Brown from the Abbey Business Stadium
