LUKE Bryan scored a first-half goal for Yate Town on Saturday but it was not enough to stem the tide of unbeaten Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West leaders Hereford as the Bulls ran out 4-1 victors at Edgar Street.

The Yate defence did well to keep the score down as their goalkeeper, former Hereford man Harvey Rivers, pulled of some good saves while the defence cleared off the line on a couple of occasions and the Bluebells bar was rattled.

Hereford went in front on four minutes when Jamie Molyneux beat two defenders before firing an effort into the bottom corner past Rivers.

But, to their credit and despite the bombardment they had to handle, Yate equalised when some poor home defending let in Bryan to grab a goal.

It was, however, small consolation as Hereford went back on the attack. A cross to the far post saw Bulls’ Mike Symons leap high above the defence and head past Rivers into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Battling Yate tried hard and had half-chances up the other end of the pitch but failed to capitalise on them as they went into the interval still in the game at 2-1.

And they fought bravely after the break as Hereford looked for another goal. Yate managed some attacks down the flanks and pumped the ball towards the danger zone but to no avail.

But the game was decided on 72 minutes when the home side’s Mike McGrath leaped high near the penalty spot to rifle a sizzling header towards Rivers’ goal that, despite the goalkeeper’s dive, bounced off the crossbar and into the net.

And John Mills got Hereford’s fourth with ten minutes to go which leaves Yate 17th in the table and facing local rivals Mangotsfield United next week.