A poor performance from Wrexham as they returned to league action and lost to two second half goals.

Manager Brian Carey made three changes for the visit of Hereford United with Anthony Williams returning in goal and Richard Hope and Matty Done replacing Shaun Pejic and Eifion Williams who dropped to the bench along with Michael Jones.

On an overcast day in North Wales Hereford kicked off attacking the Kop end of The Racecourse. After some early sparring the first goal attempt was a blocked Chris Llewellyn shot that ran harmlessly through to the Hereford goalkeeper.

With both sides cancelling each other out in the early stages Matty Done was Wrexham's best outletand it was an electrifying turn of pace by him on seven minutes that saw him beat McClenahan but Neil Roberts was unable to make a clean connection on the cross and it was cleared.

With 12 minutes gone Rose swung in a free kick for Hereford which was headed clear by Hope to Kris Taylor who fired weakly wide of the Wrexham goal. Three minutes later they earned a corner taken by Easton and headed wide by Robinson.

Steve Evans, who appeared to have twisted his ankle, limped off on 16 minutes to be replaced by Shaun Pejic.

Hereford were having the best of possession as we went passed the mid way mark without creating any goal scoring chances. It was certainly a case of defences being on top and with both sides playing a similar 4-4-2 formation space was at a premium in midfield as well.

With 35 minutes gone a foul by Beckwith on Neil Roberts gave Wrexham a free kick 30 yards out, in keeping with the rest of the first half action the ball in from Michael Proctor was poor and easily cleared by the Hereford defence. Neither goalkeeper had made a save at this stage.

Neil Roberts headed well wide on 40 minutes from a Chris Llewellyn cross as the Wrexham crowd began to get restless at the football being played.

The first yellow card was shown to Karl Broadhurst for a tackle from behind on Neil Roberts. The free kick was cleared for a corner in the last minute of the half, taken by Mark Jones it was headed goalwards by Richard Hope but scrambled clear by the Hereford defence. There was no further action as Mr. Dowd's whistle signalled the end to a poor first half.

Second Half

No changes at half time, but an early opportunity fell to Michael Proctor who failed to connect with a quickly taken free kick by Mark Jones. Chris Llewellyn had a shot blocked as four Wrexham players broke away against two Hereford defenders. Hereford then won a corner as the half opened brightly.

On 51 minutes Matty Done won a corner for Wrexham, it was cleared to Chris Llewellyn who put a great ball into the area but no Wrexham forward attacked it and it ran through to Brown.

Hereford took the lead, seconds later when a quick break saw Kris Taylor put the visitors in front after a good move by Robinson and Diagouraga. Richard Hope cleared the first effort off the line with his hand and Taylor tapped the rebound into the empty net. Hope was booked for the handball, the goal probably saved him from an early bath.

Michael Proctor had a shot saved by Brown on 55 minutes as Wrexham tried to bounce back straight away. After a spell of pressure Done won another corner on the hour, Mark Jones took the corner and it caused a moment of panic for the Hereford defence before Mr. Dowd gave a free kick for a foul on the keeper.

A double change for Wrexham as Eifion Williams and Michael Carvill came on for Michael Proctor and Chris Llewellyn with 62 minutes gone. The change almost reaped an immediate reward as Carvill broke clear and crossed for Eifion Williams whose shot on the stretch was blocked by Wayne Brown's legs.

Hereford made their first changes on 67 minutes with the veteran Trevor Benjamin replacing Steve Guinan and Ben Smith replacing the goal scorer Kris Taylor.

Wrexham were looking livelier up front with the injection of pace but were caught with a sucker punch as substitute Trevor Benjamin scored from eight yards to put Hereford two up on 73 minutes from a break away.

Eifion Williams had a volley from 20 yards but it was straight at Brown. On 77 minutes the same player forced a tip over from Brown with a curling effort from the edge of the area as Wrexham chased the game. Mark Jones turn and shot from 18 yards again did not trouble Brown who held it easily.

Richard Rose went into the book for a foul on Carvill, and from the resultant free kick Pejic headed wide from a good position. The final change came on 85 minutes with Gwynne replacing Ainsworth.

Danny Williams put a header wide from a tight angle from a Mark Jones cross with 3 minutes left, but although Wrexham pressed forward as time ran out Hereford defended well and in truth the home side lacked ideas on how to break them down.

Toumani Diagouraga was booked for kicking the ball away as we went into three minutes added time. Danny Williams was booked in added time for a needless foul.

Wrexham left the field to a chorus of boos after a poor performance.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Anthony Williams, Simon Spender, Richard Hope, Steve Evans (Shaun Pejic 16), Ryan Valentine, Chris Llewellyn (Michael Carvill 62) , Mark Jones, Danny Williams, Matty Done, Michael Proctor (Eifion Williams 62) , Neil Roberts.
Subs: Michael Jones, Levi Mackin,

Hereford United (4-4-2): Wayne Brown, Trent McClenahan, Karl Broadhurst, Dean Beckwith, Richard Rose, Lionel Ainsworth (Sam Gwynne 85), Kris Taylor (Ben Smith 67), Toumani Diagouraga, Clint Easton, Steve Guinan (Trevor Benjamin 67), Theo Robinson.
Subs: Mike Ingham, John McCombe,

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 4,004
Away: 408

Bookings -
Wrexham: Richard Hope (handball), Danny Williams (foul)
Hereford United: Karl Broadhurst (foul), Richard Rose (foul), Toumani Diagouraga (time wasting)