Scarborough conceded four goals at home for the second successive week, with another feeble defensive performance as they went down 4-2 to Hereford United.

It is clear that the club is about to enter a transitional period with the announcement that virtually every player is available for loan or transfer in an effort to reduce a wage bill which is out of line with the income the club is receiving.

The future may well mean a return to the days of part-time football as the people in the seaside town seem to have deserted the team.

Only 891 fans watched this game and the euphoria that existed in the town when the club was saved from extinction in the summer has evaporated.

Changes in personnel have already begun, with striker Chris Tate joining Leyton Orient on loan, with a view to a permanent deal.

After watching his side's defensive frailties surface again, acting manager Neil Thompson said: "Individuals have to take responsibility. Our defending was in the schoolboy class and we shall just have to work on it in training.

"It is a difficult time. I have been instructed to reduce the wage bill, which is not going to be easy, but we have to look to the future and make plans not just for this season, but for the future as well and people will have to realise that there is no quick fix."

Hereford took an early lead through Rob Elmes before French triallist Cherif Diallo equalised.

But when Andy Woods advanced too far from his line when Denny Ingram lost control of the ball on the edge of the penalty area he gave Gavin Williams the chance to score from a narrow angle to restore the lead for the visitors.

David Pounder equalised on the stroke of half time but the visitors clinched the win with second half goals from Williams and Michael McIndoe.