 In June 2000 he joined Conference side Hereford United  and although Hereford were one of the mainly full-time Conference sides, Gardiner remained a part-time player, making his Conference debut on 2 September in a 3-0 win away at Woking.He was released by Hereford in the summer of 2001 after missing the end of the season through injury having undergone a double hernia operation.Following a brief spell at Worcester City where he played four games he linked up again with Hereford United on non-contract terms in September 2001.