Hereford United 1 Exeter City 2

EDGAR Street provided a blustery setting as the Bulls conceded their first Nation-wide Conference double of the season.

After the 4-0 Boxing Day defeat at Exeter it remains to be seen how costly the defeats will be when the end of the season arrives. Hereford goalkeeper Craig Mawson is wrong-footed by Adam Stansfield's ill-fated attempt at a clearance. Stansfield later levelled the scores before Exeter's winner.

Last season Burton Albion, who were never in the play-off reckoning, were the only team to take six points off United but Exeter are certainly in the frame to clinch one of the coveted four play-off spots.

After just 10 minutes the Bulls were forced to reshuffle their pack when Rob Purdie went off with a hamstring injury.

Things went further downhill on 20 minutes when, as at St James Park on Boxing Day, Hereford set Exeter on the way to victory with an own goal.

Hereford conceded a free-kick on the edge of area. Andy Taylor swung in a dangerous free-kick and Adam Stansfield flicked the ball into his own net when attempting to clear.

Hereford were fortunate not to be two goals adrift just nine minutes later when Paul Buckle's free-kick was flicked on to Dean Moxey who volleyed over the bar.

Hereford had failed to make much use of the gale-force conditions in the first period but Exeter seemed determined not to make the same mistake as the second half began.

The Grecians piled forward in force and Steve Flack had the ball in the net again on 57 minutes but his strike ruled out for offside.

But just when it seemed as if the game was slipping away from Hereford, the Bulls found themselves on level terms.

Taylor made an ill-advised attempt to head towards his goalkeeper Martin Rice who made a complete hash of trying to pick up the ball, ending flat on his back as Stansfield slipped his shot into an empty net.

But five minutes later Hereford were behind again.

To the bemusement of the Hereford team and fans, Graham Hyde was penalised 25 yards out and Taylor lifted his free-kick over the wall and into the net, giving Craig Mawson no chance.

David Brown saw a fine 20-yarder parried away by Rice as Hereford staged a late raid but the visitors held on in relative comfort for their fourth successive win.

Bookings - Hereford: Pitman, foul, 22 min; Exeter: Buckle, foul, 14 min; Jeannin, foul, 19 min; Martin, foul, 62 min.

Goals: Stansfield og, 21 min, 0-1; Stansfield, 66 min, 1-1; Taylor, 71 min, 1-2.

Hereford: Mawson, Travis, Mkandawire, James, Robinson, Purdie (Green 10 min), Hyde, Pitman, Stanley (Carey-Bertram 74 min), Stansfield, Brown. Subs not used: Tretton, Scott, Smith.

Exeter: Rice, Hiley, Sawyer, Gaia, Jeannin, Taylor, Buckle, Martin, Moxey, Flack (Edwards 84 min), Devine (Ibe 84 min). Subs not used: Jones, Sheldon, Afful.

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shrewsbury).

Attendance: 3,978.