HEREFORD FC manager Pete Beadle says his players deserve a lot of credit after they grounded an excellent 2-1 away win at AFC Wulfrunians.

For long periods of the game, it looked like Hereford's long unbeaten winning sequence would come to an end, with Wulfrunians much the better side in the first half.

But a fabulous free-kick by Pablo Haysham with 14 minutes go secured the three points, ensuring the Bulls have now won 26 games in a row in all competitions.

"It was very hard fought because for long periods, we weren't quite at it," said Beadle.

"But, second half, we managed to get the result.

"It's a tough league because everyone wants to beat us and it's tough to maintain a certain level of performance, so credit must go to the players."

However, despite the victory, which takes the winning sequence to 26 in all competitions, Beadle felt his side's work rate was off key in the first half.

"We got our noses in front and had a great chance to make it 2-0, but didn't take it," said Beadle.

"We got a little bit sloppy, so I changed it at the back, and in the second half we just shaded it.

"We hit the bar twice and just about deserved to win."

Despite the pitch being very heavy due to a lot of rain falling before the game, both sides were very open and the match could have gone either way.

"There weren't many clear-cut chances and neither keeper had a huge amount to do, but there was still a lot of goalmouth action," added Beadle.

"It was certainly a great game for the neutral."

Beadle praised the large Hereford following who sang throughout the game.

"What was great was the supporters could see that we weren't quite at it and in the second half they really got behind the players and sung their hearts out," he said.

"They really are our 12th man."

Hereford opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Mike Symons headed home Ryan Green's cross.

But the home side soon levelled when Jamie King expertly dispatched Ricky Anslow's pass.

King almost put Wulfrunians ahead when he tested Martin Horsell in the Hereford goal just before half-time before Haysham hit the crossbar 13 minutes after the break.

Referee Mark Groves then missed a clear handball in the penalty area after he bizarrely awarded a corner to Wulfrunians despite no Hereford player touching the ball.

The end-to-end game later saw John Mills hit the bar for the Bulls before Anthony Robbins headed over.

But the winning goal did come in the 76th minute when Haysham expertly fired home a free-kick.

MATCH FACTS

Hereford: Horsell, Green, Edwards, Bonella, Willets (Oates 46), Summers, Purdie (Robbins 46), Birch, Mills, Haysham Symons.

Subs not used: Kontic-Coveney, Tumelty, Rivers.

AFC Wulfrunians: Tipton, Sedgemoor, J Hunt, Palmer (Ganderton 80), Hill, M Hunt, Webb (Gregg 46), Brady, Anslow, King, Jevons.

Subs not used: Minto, Aulak, Waterhouse.

Referee: Mark Groves.

Yellow cards: Hereford – none; AFC Wulfrunians – Jevons, 56, foul, Brady, 67, foul, Ganderton, 85, foul.

Goals: Symons, 19, 0-1, King, 28, 1-1, Haysham, 76, 1-2.

Attendance: 895.