CHESTER'S makeshift side, with five changes from the team that clinched the Nationwide Conference championship seven days earlier, turned in a spirited performance against the second-placed club, but the Bulls' greater appetite clinched the points.

Nearly 2,000 Chester fans made the journey to Edgar Street, and their enthusiastic vocal encouragement, coupled with the sweltering conditions, made for a carnival atmosphere.

The only person who didn't get into the party spirit was referee Mr Stroud, whose fussy and over-officious style meant that there were rarely many cohesive spells of play, and as a spectacle the game rarely rose above the ordinary.

Hereford, who are favourites to join Chester in the Football League next season, sportingly lined up to applaud the champions on to the field.

Both the home team's goals were scored by former City players, while the visitors' goal came courtesy of an own goal from Hereford skipper Tony James.

Chester's threadbare squad was thrown into further disarray after 15 minutes when midfield player Shaun Carey limped off to be replaced by striker Ian Foster.

Five minutes later the opening goal came as Rapley was easily beaten to the ball by Rose, whose header sent David Brown away to hammer the ball past Iain Turner from 15 yards.

Rose was unlucky just before the break, his angled effort from the edge of the area rattled the visitors' post before going to safety.

In a rare breakaway, Chester had what looked like a good penalty appeal turned down when Rose appeared to handle a Davies' cross in the area. However, Mr Stroud was too far behind the play.

Two minutes into the second period Chester were level through an own goal. A Davies' corner was sliced to Rose and back to Davies who launched a cross to the far post which James could only head into his own net.

Hereford restored their lead after 70 minutes, when substitute Mark Beesley's 18-yard effort deflected off Lane and wrong-footed substitute keeper Andy Woods.

City boss Mark Wright said: "I think most sides would have struggled with seven or eight players missing. Hereford did seem to want it more that us. Good luck to them in the play-offs. They have run us close this season."

HEREFORD UNITED: Baker, James, Tretton, Smith, Green, Pitman, Purdie, Betts (Williams 69), Rose, Carey-Bertram (Cozic 83) Brown (Beesley 60). Subs: MacKenzie, Wells.

CHESTER CITY: Turner (Woods 49), Bolland, Harris, Guyett, Heard, Davies, Lane, Carey (Foster 15), Twiss, Rapley (Stamp 80), Elam. Subs: Clare.

REFEREE:Mr K Stroud (Weymouth)

ATT: 7,240.