DEAN Rathbone's hat-trick sentenced Hereford to a remarkable 5-4 defeat last night against Coleshill Town - the Bulls' first home Midland League Premier Division reverse.
Hereford boss Pete Beadle slammed his side's "naive" and "inexcusable" defending for the loss in front of 2,717 fans at Edgar Street.
Beadle fumed: "Yet again we have played a game where our opponents did not need to work hard to score goals.
"It was naive, poor and inexcusable defending. To give away one goal from a long throw is bad enough but to do it three times in one game is not acceptable."
Beadle added: " They (Coleshill) have come and beaten us 5-4 on our patch and they have not played any football. They have kicked everything long. We have to learn - and learn fast because this was the fourth time where we have not defended very well at all."
John Mills fired Hereford into an early lead but Rathbone hauled Coleshill level and gave them a 2-1 lead after profiting from a mistake from goalkeeper Harvey Rivers to slot the ball into an empty net.
Pablo Heysham equalised for Hereford before the break but Giovanni Dainty restored the visitors' lead early in the second-half.
Coleshill extended their advantage through Dainty's close-range effort after had Hereford failed to deal with a corner.
Nathan Hughes reduced arrears but Rathbone completed his hat-trick to put Coleshill 5-3 in front.
Although Rob Purdie gave Hereford hope from the penalty spot with three minutes left, Coleshill held on for a memorable triumph.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here