Hereford 2 Woking 1

GARRY HILL is suffering from an awful case of déjà vu as his trouble on the road shows no sign of slowing.

Cards fell to a fourth successive league defeat for the first time since February 2009 and are yet to collect a single point on their travels this season.

An early strike from Ashley Sammons and Sam Clucas' curling effort just before half-time gave Hereford an unassailable lead at Edgar Street.

Kevin Betsy bundled home an 81st-minute consolation but it was the recurring manner in which Woking are shipping goals that is of most concern to their manager.

Woking have now conceded six goals in the final five minutes of either half in their first seven games.

A frustrated Hill said: "We are giving a good account of ourselves but things aren't quite going our way at the moment.

"We found ourselves 1-0 down early on - same old story. We gave a present away on the stroke of half-time - same old story.

"But we showed a lot of character for a side that is thin on numbers, we dug in deep and I'm disappointed with the end result.

"I thought we were worth half a loaf and deserved a point from the game."

Cards were punished for a sloppy start when Sammons blasted Hereford into a 5th-minute lead.

Sean Canham showed great desire to hunt down Joe McNerney as he was about to clear.

The striker stole possession in Woking's box, shifted on to his right and launched an effort at goal.

The danger was only half cleared and Sammons, who pulled all the strings in a busy first 45, rifled a 25-yard effort into the bottom left corner.

Woking's first real chance of the half arrived in the form of Jack Parkinson in the 30th minute.

Gavin McCallum's whipped corner fell to the former Welling man inside the six-yard box and only a combination of keeper Dan Hanford, Stefan Stam and Harry Pell was able to stop the ball going over the line.

Two minutes later Loick Pires took a great opportunity off the toes of Lee Sawyer who was storming in to smash home Gavin McCallum's low cross.

But as Woking's presence in the game grew so did the influence of Sammons.

The midfielder's disguised pass sent Ryan Bowman clean through but the striker failed to apply the finish to a wonderful move and clipped wide from just inside the area.

But, just as in previous away fixtures with Wrexham and Mansfield, Woking surrendered the vital second goal right on the verge of half-time.

Mike Cestor was the guilty party this week, dwelling on the ball in his own 18-yard box and inviting Clucas to steal possession.

The winger's curling finish into the top corner was sublime, but Cestor's criminal defending leaves Woking with it all to do in Saturday's now must-win meeting with Nuneaton.

But despite being shorn of key personnel and with injuries taking their toll, Hill hinted that he will not be dipping into the loan market just yet.

The manager added:  "Where we are sitting at the moment is a little frustrating but I still believe that we'll get to the 50 points we need and that we'll be a conference club next year.

"We're thin on bodies which is no secret but I couldn't have had any player available tonight who could have given more commitment and more effort than what the lads showed in these second-half."

On the hour Hill threw McNerney up front in an attempt to give Woking a presence in the final third.

Sawyer's one-two with Betsy resulted in an effort that was tipped just wide by Hanford.

But the Bulls always looked a rampaging threat on the break and Pell could have extended their lead, only to steer a low cross into the side netting with Aaron Howe rooted.

McCallum stung the hands of Hanford and with nine minutes to play Woking dragged themselves back into contention from a corner.

McNerney's header was well saved by Hanford, but the keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Betsy who bundled home from a yard out.

McCallum's deflected effort forced a smart stop from the keeper as the game moved into the final minutes.

But it was Hereford who came closest to netting the fourth goal of game when substitute Tom Nichols struck the outside of the post.