EARLY goals by Rob Purdie and Tom Barkhuizen gave Hereford a dream start at the Priestfield Stadium although Chris Whelpdale pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

Hereford made a great start when they won a penalty after just three minutes.

Barkhuizen cut in and was racing in on goal when he was brought down by full-back Jack Evans.

Purdie stepped and confidently slotted the ball past goalkeeper Paolo Gazzaniga for his third goal of the season.

Four minutes later, it was two with Barkhuizen cutting in to fire past Gazzaniga with a superb finish.

The stunned Gills tried to summon up some sort of immediate response but could only manage a shot from Jo Kuffour which drifted wide on 12 minutes.

Chris Whelpdale also fired over before Hereford moved back on to the attack with Purdie forcing the first Bulls corner.

Hereford, however, were grateful to Dave Cornell who produced a fine block from Gavin Tomlin’s effort to concede a Gillingham corner.

Tomlin did have the ball in the net just after the half-hour but the effort was struck off for offside, much to Hereford’s relief.

The Hereford attack was little seen as the half reached its conclusion, although a Lyle Taylor from Delroy Facey’s cross brought a routine save from Gazzaniga on 39 minutes.

And Gillingham pressed again in the latter stages of the half with Whelpdale firing just wide.

The home side pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Whelpdale struck home after a good run by Danny Jackman.