Lacklustre City stumbled to defeat in the wind and rain at Hereford this afternoon.

The Bulls had lost their previous four home games - but they deserved to put that wretched run to bed in an entertaining contest.

City had made a decent start with two good chances in the first six minutes.

James Hanson put a free header wide from the game's opening corner and Gavin Grant was thwarted by the slightest of touches from home keeper Adam Bartlett.

But City failed to push on for a while as Hereford grabbed control. Peter Taylor's frustration on the touchline resulted in a warning from referee Danny McDermid.

It was a very open encounter with headers at both ends well saved to deny Gareth Evans and Darren Jones.

But Hereford went in front after 33 minutes as Mathieu Manset bundled home from a yard after City failed to deal with Marc Pugh's corner.

Pugh nearly made it 2-0 straight after the break before City - playing into the driving rain - should have levelled from close range. Luke Oliver's shot was blocked but Evans showed no composure as he lashed the rebound over the bar.

Hereford old boy Robbie Threlfall denied Manset a second, getting his head in the way of a goal-bound effort from the Frenchman.

Evans volleyed over from sub Mark McCammon's flick-on. Then McCammon's header from a corner bounced against the post as City chased an equaliser.

But despite enjoying more possession after the break, City did not trouble Bartlett enough.

And on-loan Birmingham teenager Jake Jervis killed them off nine minutes from time, bagging a debut goal with a clever finish after Bartlett's wind-assisted free-kick had deceived the City defence.

To add to Peter Taylor's miserable day, Lee Bullock received his tenth booking - and will miss the next two games.