PETE BEADLE won his 100th game as Hereford manager and his side now need five more wins to be crowned Evo-Stik Southern Premier Champions.

Lance Smith put Beadle's side on their way to a third successive league victory heading home a Jimmy Oates cross at the far post. The Bulls probed but lacked the cutting edge to unlock their visitors.

Just as it looked to be heading into a nervous ending Rob Purdie made it 2-0 with just eight minutes remaining after Smith capitalised on a defensive mistake before picking out his team-mate to fire into an empty net.

"It was a very efficient performance and we never really looked troubled in open play and their main threat was from their set pieces and we coped with that superbly well," said Beadle following the victory.

"If I had any gripe with the boys today with the amount of possession we had in the final we didn't create as many chances, it wasn't quite fluent, creative or purposely full enough being really picky.

"They are a good side, well drilled, organised and were in with a chance of the play-offs until a few games ago. It was going to be tough but they boys played with purpose and confidence but in the final third we lacked that cutting edge.

"We need to work harder on creating a few more chances.

Beadle had praise for midfielder Smith whose 'enthusiasm' help his side secure the victory.

"Sometimes we ask him to slow down a bit as he over-runs the ball but that's just pure willingness to do well but that got us the second goal today," added Beadle.

"His enthusiasm to chase down a lost cause and then he had the presence and calmness to roll it back to Rob (Purdie). We needed that second goal as it could have been a nervy towards the end with a goal lead."

The win was Beadle's 100th as Hereford manager including his brief period as Hereford United and his current reign as Hereford FC manager.

"The record includes the previous eight games under the old banner and is a nice landmark but two different football clubs, added Beadle.

"It is a nice one to reach with 14 defeats and five of them were from the eight in the Conference team. It's nice to have these landmarks and nice to do things like that. It would be much nicer if there is a third Championship in there as well and that's what we're aiming for.

"We have another tough game in two games but if we apply ourselves like today it gives us a better chance to get something from the game."