OPPOSING defences usually keep a close watch on Hereford skipper Ian Wright's aerial ability at set-pieces - before Saturday his four goals this term and most of his nine last season came from headers.

It was his right foot which snatched victory for the Bulls in the 89th minute this time, however, and enabled them to complete a Nationwide Conference double over Southport - their first of the campaign.

The Sandgrounders looked set to return home with a deserved point until Chris Lane aimed a throw-in into the Meadow End goalmouth. Wright won possession and fired in a shot which hit keeper Steve Dickinson. But when the ball rebounded back to Wright for a second chance he made no mistake.

Afterwards he said: "I was due a goal. I hadn't scored since we beat Rushden & Diamonds in September."

United's performance certainly did not warrant all the points, though. In the first half, particularly, Southport were by far the more industrious side.

In the second minute home keeper Mark Jones had to save a shot from Lee Furlong, low down. Later in the half Mark Stuart went close with a 25-yard shot before he tested Jones with a free-kick. Hereford did not get a strike on goal until the 33rd minute when Dickinson had Paul Fewings' tight-angled drive well covered.

In stoppage time Gavin Williams delivered United's first threatening cross to Wright, stationed at the far post. He headed back across for Fewings, who scored in the 1-0 win at Southport in Sept-ember, to slot it past Dickinson. It was Fewings' 10th goal, making him the current club top marksman.

After the break United should have sealed it in the 65th minute after referee Lee Probert awarded a penalty for a foul by Tim Ryan on Wright. But, Dickinson, diving to his right, pushed away Williams' spot-kick for the first corner of the game.

At the other end Jones excelled in fisting away a venomous drive from Andy Gouck. But, with eight minutes, left Southport were rewarded for their efforts. Substitute Lee Elam ran through a yawning gap in the home defence, latched on to Lee Trundle's pass and gave Jones no chance with a ground shot.

It took Wright's late intervention to lift United director of football Graham Turner, who admitted: "We were lucky to get away with it. I have never seen a Southport side work so hard, while at times we were all over the place.

"We didn't play well today or against Barton Rovers in our previous match. During FA Cup runs teams in lower divisions often seem to find it difficult to maintain their form in their league matches."

The referee made four bookings - all Southport players.

The issuing of vouchers for this Saturday's FA Cup third round tie with Leicester City brought in extra revenue for the club. The attendance was around 700 more than their average Conference gate.

Hereford: Jones, Lane, Wright, James, Sturgess, Williams, Snape, Taylor, Parry, (Rodgerson 67 min), Elmes, Fewings (May 67 min). Subs not used: Wall, Rudall, Clarke.

Southport: Dickinson, Guyett, Grayston, Morley, Bolland, Ryan, Clark (Elam 61 min), Gouck, Arnold, Furlong (Trundle 72 min), Stuart. Subs not used: Stewart, Courtney, Formby.

Referee: L Probert (Somerset)

Attendance: 2,610