BOLTON Wanderers proved conclusive winners in an entertaining game at Edgar Street for Jamie Pitman’s benefit.

Goals from Chris Eagles, Darren Pratley and Kevin Davies gave the 2,250 fans a glimpse of Premier League quality but Hereford, after two defeats against Conference opposition, gave a much more promising display.

Hereford boss Pitman was able to name, more or less, his preferred line-up..

Stefan Stam was named in central defence and also given the captain’s armband.

Ryan Green was named as his defensive partner, with Rob Purdie given the right-back berth.

Hereford started well with Purdie sending Joe Colbeck away to deliver a cross which was put behind for the first corner of the game.

James McQuilkin’s cross, however, was easily cleared.

A foul by Green on England international Kevin Davies 30 yards out conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position on 15 minutes.

The ball was touched to Chris Eagles who smashed the ball into the net who Adam Bartlett only able to get a slight touch.

Within a minute, it took a good save by Bartlett to prevent Mark Davies from doubling the lead.

As Hereford tried to hit back, a McQuilkin drive was blocked in the area.

Hereford should have been back on level terms on 24 minutes.

A superb pass from Green sent Colbeck away on the right and he crossed for Stuart Fleetwood who side-footed wide of an open goal.

But Eagles might have added a second in the 30th minute when Bartlett parried away a cross from Martin Petrov as far as the former Burnley man who volleyed just wide.

Then some fine defending by Green cut out a dangerous cross from Kevin Davies.

Hereford had a chance to emulate the Bolton free-kick move eight minutes before the break after a foul on Harry Pell. But Kenny Lunt blasted his shot straight at the defensive wall.

Just before the break, Pell sent Delroy Facey away but the Grenada international’s touch was poor and only a corner resulted.

As Bolton made a lively start to the second period, Kevin Davies pounced on a mistake by Stam but Bartlett came to the rescue with a smart save.

The Bulls keeper then made a good double save from the impressive Eagles.

Joe Heath, though, had to come to Bartlett’s assistance with a goalline clearance after good work by Fabrice Muamba had set up Petrov.

Bolton added a second on 59 minutes when substitute Darren Pratley received the ball in what appeared an offside position before turning, advancing and firing past Bartlett.

United’s offside trap was sprung again two minutes later when Kevin Davies raced on to a pass from Petrov to clip a shot over Bartlett.

Hereford made a couple of substitutions and moved on to the attack with Colbeck, their best attacker, driving in a low shot which was well held by Bob Lainton.

More substitutions followed and good work by Yoann Arquin opened up a shooting chance for McQuilkin whose effort was deflected for a corner.

Pitman made an appearance as a substitute, replacing Lunt with 13 minutes remaining.

And the boss provided a neat pass for McQuilkin to curl a shot just the wrong side of an upright.

Hereford: Bartlett; Purdie, Stam, Green, Heath; Colbeck, Lunt, McQuilkin, Pell, Fleetwood; Facey. Subs: Hoult, Townsend (for Stam), Arquin (for Facey), Kovacs, Weir, Williams (for Colbeck), Pitman (for Lunt).

Bolton: Lainton, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles, Reo Coker, Muamba, Petrov, K Davies, M Davies. Subs: Jaaskelainen, Mears (for Steinsson), Klasnic, Pratley (for Reo Coker), Wheater (for Knight), Blake (for Petrov) Referee: Phil Gibbs.

Attandance: 2,250.

Goals: Eagles, 15 min, 0-1; Pratley, 59 min, 0-2; K Davies, 61 min, 0-3;