Hereford United 1 Chester City 0

HEREFORD moved a step closer to preserving their Nationwide Conference status with an important victory at Edgar Street on Tuesday, writes Ian Morgan.

A sixth-minute 25-yard deflected strike from captain Ian Wright was enough to seal United's first home victory in four league outings and end in-form Chester's eight-match unbeaten Conference run.

In truth, Hereford rode their luck against a Chester side that squandered some gilt-edged chances but it was a sweet success for United who avenged last month's FA Umbro Trophy defeat.

Chester's outspoken manager Mark Wright was left to reflect on a controversial 66th-minute refereeing decision in which substitute David Brown sprinted clear of the home defence and then appeared to be brought down inside the area by Hereford's substitute goalkeeper Matt Baker.

But Surrey-based referee Paul Melin turned down Chester's appeals for a penalty and promptly booked Brown for diving.

Afterwards Wright fumed: "It was one of the clearest penalties I have ever seen and I felt the decision was an injustice on my players."

Hereford, who included Dean Barrick, a left-back signed from Doncaster Rovers until the end of the season, made a flying start which culminated in Wright's seventh goal of the season. Paul Parry, on his return to the side after illness, brought a superb early save out of visiting goalkeeper Wayne Brown.

But from then on Baker, a 13th-minute substitute for Stuart Jones who suffered a dead leg following a collision, was by far the busier goalkeeper.

Baker made crucial stops in the first half from Michael McElhatton and Chester's leading marksman Mark Beesley, and he also came to Hereford's rescue in the 53rd minute when he brilliantly finger-tipped away a low shot from Beesley.

And when the former Hull City player was beaten, Hereford were indebted to Richard Holmes who headed away a goal-bound effort from Phil Bolland, last-ditch clearances from Barrick and Scott Goodwin, and some very desperate, but effective, defending.

Bookings - Hereford: Wright (foul); Chester: D Brown (unsporting behaviour).

Hereford: Jones (Baker 13 mins), Holmes, Barrick, Robinson, Wright, James, Goodwin, Clarke, Parry, Williams, Rodgerson (Quiggin 62 mins). Subs not used: Davidson, Diamond, Hill.

Chester: W Brown, McGorry, Rose, Lancaster, Bolland, Brabin, Carey (Blackburn 71 mins), McElhatton, Tate (D Brown 15 mins), Beesley, Peacock (Haarhoff 81 mins). Subs not used: Williams, Woodyatt.

Referee: Paul Melin (Surrey)

Attendance: 1,295.