CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After having the Charlotte Eagles' number for so long, the Richmond Kickers seem to have forgotten how to beat their United Soccer Leagues Second Division foe.

Going into this season, Richmond hadn't lost to Charlotte since 2002, but the Eagles have beaten the Kickers twice in three meetings in 2008.

The latest victory came last night when Jorge Herrera scored a pair of goals to lift Charlotte over Richmond 2-1 before 1,014 at Restart Field.

Herrera's first goal came off a penalty kick in the 10th minute after defender Trevor McEachron was whistled for taking down a Charlotte player inside the box.

The Eagles went up 2-0 in the 56th minute, when former Kicker Robert Ssejjemba set up Herrera, before Richmond closed the gap on Freddie Smith's score in the 83rd minute.

Richmond (4-3-0) was unable to get the equalizer in the closing minutes, however, and saw its three-game winning streak end. The Kickers are 1-3-0 on the road.

The first-place Eagles, who were playing without leading scorer Dustin Swinehart, improved to 6-1-1 and are seven points ahead of Richmond in the standings.

Richmond travels to Harrisburg, Pa., on Friday to take on the City Islanders in a rematch of last year's USL2 title match.

Richmond ------------------------- 0 1 -- 1
Charlotte ------------------------- 1 1 -- 2

Scoring: Charlotte, Herrera, 10th minute; Charlotte, Herrera, 56th; Richmond, Smith, 83rd.

Shots: Charlotte 13-8

Saves: Richmond, Pascale 3; Charlotte, Trapp 4

Fouls: Charlotte 11-9

Offsides: Charlotte 3-0

Corners: Richmond 5-2