Steve Holland had warned his players all week that Hereford United would be like a wounded animal after their heavy defeat at Bristol Rovers last weekend. It was a theory that was put into practice by The Bulls, as their vastly experienced manager Graham Turner made five changes to the side that was beaten 6-1 at the Memorial Stadium. His recent signing Stephen O'Leary stole the show too, with a wonderfully struck opener just after half time to start the ball rolling for the home side.

Winger Bradley Hudson-Odoi added a decisive second on 56 minutes and Crewe struggled to create too many clear-cut chances after that to give themselves a lifeline. If the Alex are to improve on last season, then our away form will have to improve on this showing. In truth we didn't take our chances as well as the home side, and Hereford were comfortably the better side in the second period.

As expected Billy Jones returned to the Crewe starting line-up after overcoming his neck injury. The left-back missed the club's mid-week Carling Cup victory over Bristol City, with youngster James Bailey filling in at full-back during our 2-1 win. Ben Rix was the unfortunate one to lose his place, having to settle for a place on the substitutes bench that also included a fit-again Calvin Zola.

Crewe started brightly with Tom Pope registering the first shot on target of the afternoon after just two minutes of play. Pope was played through the heart of the Hereford defence by captain Julien Baudet, but his shot was straight at Darren Randolph. Moments later, Kris Taylor whistled a fierce shot just past Steve Collis' left hand post. It was an ambitious effort from the former Manchester United schoolboy and Collis watched Taylor's effort drift wide of danger.

Just after the ten-minute mark, Hereford United's new signing from Luton, Stephen O'Leary, fired well over Collis' crossbar following some fine wing play from Bradley Hudson-Odoi. Five minutes later, it was Pope once again forcing Randolph into a decent save. Joel Grant had played the Crewe striker in with a low pass just outside the six-yard box. Only the legs of the Hereford keeper denied him after Pope had turned sharply and right back Richard Rose completed the clearance.

Grant also had a half chance after Elding had flicked a Danny Woodards cross into his path. In fairness to the Crewe winger, he has instantly pressurised by Rose and couldn't get his shot off. On 25 minutes, Hereford created arguably their best chance of the early exchanges with O'Leary heading a Rose cross over Collis' bar.

Ten minutes later, Crewe were presented with a good opportunity after James Bailey had his shirt pulled just outside the penalty area. Billy Jones struck the resultant free-kick into the mid-drift of the Hereford goalkeeper Randolph but he responded quickly enough to grab the rebound ahead of the waiting Pope.

It was a fairly even affair with both sides playing some decent football. The pacy Hudson-Odoi was causing some problems and he had one low drive blocked by the well-placed O'Donnell. Moments later, Elding headed a Byron Moore cross, just wide of the far post.

Randolph denied Pope for a third time after the Alex striker reacted quickest inside a crowded penalty area following a dangerous looking delivery from Grant. Pope managed to poke an effort on goal but Randolph was alert enough to prevent it crossing the line.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, Crewe, perhaps, should have been awarded a penalty after Dean Beckwith tripped Pope on the edge of the box. The offence could well have occurred inside the Hereford box, but in fairness the Alex players didn't appeal too much. It was certainly a tight decision though. This time O'Connor took the free kick and forced Randolph into a super save. The agile Hereford keeper tipped the Irishman's curling effort over the bar.

Crewe were certainly finishing the first half the stronger. Moore had a powerful drive blocked before Baudet did have the ball in the Hereford net only for his celebration to be cut short by an Assistant's flag. The Frenchman had just strayed into an offside position after Elding had flicked it on to find his run. Baudet nodded it past the helpless Randolph but the goal didn't count.

The second half started with an early effort from Hereford's towering midfielder Toumani Diagouraga but his shot from 25 yards was always rising and didn't trouble Collis.

Two minutes into the second half, the home side took the lead thanks to their debutant Stephen O'Leary. Ben Smith carried the ball deep into Crewe territory before finding O'Leary some 25 yards from goal. The former Luton midfielder wasn't shut down quickly enough and he curled a superb effort past the diving Collis for the opening goal of the afternoon.

That opening goal certainly gave The Bulls a lift. Matt Done was rather unlucky not to get onto the end of a Steve Guinan cross before he had another shot blocked by the covering Baudet. Two minutes later Hudson-Odoi had a chance to double Hereford's advantage but he couldn't keep his shot down after some more good work from Guinan.

On 56 minutes, the same player did increase the home side's lead. It was an awful goal for Crewe to concede as they had enough bodies behind the ball to deal it with the problem. O'Leary's run had seemed to been halted inside the box, but the loose ball eventually broke to Hudson-Odoi and he slotted his shot past a helpless Collis for 2-0. From finishing the first half so brightly, Crewe found themselves with one hell of an uphill struggle.

Crewe's afternoon got worse on 63 minutes when Michael O'Connor was stretched off after being caught from behind by Matt Done. Physiotherapist Steve Walker signalled for the assistance and Steve Schumacher quickly replaced our Northern Ireland International. Steve Holland also used the stoppage in play to introduce Clayton Donaldson for Tom Pope.

Hereford nearly forced home a third following a Done corner, but Collis tipped over Beckwith's header to keep us in the match. Graham Turner also introduced Simon Johnson for goal scorer Bradley-Hudson Odoi, who left to a standing ovation. Moments later Baudet had a header cleared from the goal line by Rose following a Billy Jones' corner.

O'Leary nearly grabbed a second goal for himself, after the impressive Guinan had found the Hereford Man-of-the-Match just outside the penalty area, but his shot went just wide. At the other end, it was Danny Woodards trying desperately to find a goal but his shot was blocked.

With time running out, Steve Holland introduced Zola for Elding but even with the extra height on the field couldn't create that one clear-cut chance to give us hope. Our best chance fell to sub Clayton Donaldson in stoppage time but he could only shoot straight at Randolph.