Match Report

A harsh penalty decision three minutes from time handed Southend the points on a plate and pushed Hereford further into the mire at the foot of the table.

Hereford debutant Darren Dennehy clearly took the ball with his tackle on Francis Laurent in the view of everyone on the ground with the exception of referee Simon Hooper.

The official pointed to the spot and former Bulls loanee Theo Robinson drove home the penalty to give the Shrimpers their sixth successive victory.

Hereford almost took the lead within the first minute when Toumani Diagouraga drove a shot just wide after a neat exchange with Steve Guinan.

A Sam Hewson shot then brought a diving save from Southend keeper Ian Joyce.

Play was often confined to midfield on a blustery afternoon, but Southend did show some glimpses of the form which has seen them put together an excellent run of results.

Hereford keeper Peter Gulacsi came out bravely to gather a cross from Franck Moussa at the feet of Robinson.

But the best chance of the half came just seconds before the interval when Kevin Betsy found himself in a good position 15 yards out and drove his shot into the side netting.

Gulacsi saved well twice in the early stages of the second half when Betsy and Jean-Francois Christophe created openings.

But Hereford felt hard done by in the 56th minute when the elusive Febian Brandy sped clear of the Southend defence before being brought down by last man Dorian Dervitte.

Referee Hooper awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box and showed only a yellow card to the visiting defender.

Laurent scuffed a great chance wide just after arriving as a substitute, but everything indicated that the points would be shared before the late, controversial decision.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides