Having guaranteed mathematical safety on Saturday, Welling United supporters hoped to see their club pushing on for a top half finish.
That seems less likely now after another disappointing home performance against a physical side.
Over the previous two seasons, Park View Road proved to be a fortress for the Wings, but this term they have been outmuscled by more direct teams too often for manager Jamie Day’s liking.
In the early stages, it looked like Welling might enjoy a comfortable win as Hereford Unitedstruggled to cope with their expansive football.
Tobi Sho-Silva crossed just behind Ross Lafayette but he controlled well before spinning and seeing his shot blocked.
Sho-Silva then had a shot that swerved and had to be turned away by Daniel Lloyd-Weston.
Toby Ajala then had a free kick saved well before Welling came desperately close from the resulting corner.
Lafayette rose well to meet Sho-Silva’s corner but his powerful corner was cleared off the line by Rob Purdie.
A booking for Lafayette gave a first glimpse of the ugly side of Hereford when they surrounded the referee following a late but non-malicious foul.
Michael Rankine scuffed a shot wide for the Bulls before Danny Leadbitter was cautioned for a foul on Tom Bender.
Ajala’s cross looked certain to find Lafayette’s head but a slight touch from a defender was just enough to take it away for a corner.
Lee Butcher made a good save from Frankie Artus but Welling came back and Loui Fazakerley had a shot that took a deflection to help Lloyd-Weston make a save.
One more half chance came Welling’s way just before the break but Lafayette, outnumbered by three, defenders, did well to get a header goal-wards, but could not find the power to trouble Lloyd-Weston.
An early second half shot by Ajala was claimed by Lloyd-Weston before Hereford started to enjoy the territorial advantage.
Jarrad Bowen, tricky and dangerous throughout, picked up a loose ball but shot wide.
In the 64th minute Hereford scored the crucial goal when Kingsley James swept home.
Minutes later Welling came desperately close to equalising when Lee Clarke rose to meet a deep cross but headed a foot wide of the post.
Hereford enjoyed the better of the remainder of the game although Harry Beautyman had two late chances, first shooting just beyond the angle of bar and post, then screwing an effort wide with the last kick of the match.
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Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Bender, Wakefield, Taylor, Hudson, Beautyman, Clarke, Sho-Silva, Lafayette, Ajala (Healy 76). Unused substitute: Obersteller, Karagiannis, Day, Turner.
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