Hereford emerged with a creditable point from their Sunday showdown against Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil in an action-packed encounter at Edgar Street.

Four goals, two sendings off and multiple bookings were shared between the two sides throughout a lively match and it was United who shocked their top-of-the-table visitors with a second-minute goal.

Matt Gardiner stooped at the near post to head an early corner, taken by Michael McIndoe, past former Bulls stopper Tony Pennock from close range.

It was his first goal for the club in his first start for the utility defender, who replaced injured skipper Ian Wright, but his fortunes turned head over heels when Yeovil replied within two minutes.

A weak clearing header from Gardiner fell to Glovers striker Warren Patmore who smashed a first-time shot from 30 yards into the corner of the net, beyond a vain dive from Hereford keeper Scott Cooksey.

A fabulous 50-yard cross-field ball from Phil Robinson picked out McIndoe on the left-hand side of the Yeovil area after 18 minutes, but the ex-Luton Town midfielder could not quite control a good volley and shot just wide. However, the visitors went ahead seven minutes later when Barrington Belgrave rode his luck in the Hereford area.

The home defence, and in particular left-back Matt Clarke, were flummoxed when the ball ricocheted kindly off Belgrave's shoulder and he slotted home under the wrong-footed Cooksey from an acute angle.

Pennock saved at full stretch from Chris Lane's powerful 25-yard free-kick on 32 minutes and Williams headed over from underneath the bar after a clever piece of play and cross from McIndoe, but the Glovers retained their advantage at half-time.

Industrious Yeovil midfielder Darren Way gave the Bulls a chance to level 12 minutes after the interval when he was booked for handling in the box and conceded a penalty.

But Pennock thwarted his former club by saving low to his right from Lane's spot-kick - his second penalty miss in as many games and an effort which, in truth, was too close to the visiting keeper.

However, Craig Hanson turned on the style in the 68th minute with a pacy run from inside his own half down the left flank, skinned Yeovil right-back David Piper and knocked the ball to Williams, who slid in to score from two yards.

It was no more than United deserved but it signalled the descent of the match into an almost farcical climax, initiated by some heavy handed refereeing from Totton official Darren Spicer.

Three players were cautioned before Yeovil captain Terry Skiverton received a second booking for a two-footed lunge on Robinson and Williams followed when he was shown his second yellow card for a kick aimed at Glovers substitute James Bent.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Gardiner, James, Hanson (Giddings 85 mins), Snape, Elmes, Williams, McIndoe. Subs not used: Wall, Baker, Parry, Quiggin.

Yeovil: Pennock, Piper, Tonkin, Skiverton, White, Way, Belgrave, Smith, Patmore, Crittenden (Bent 88 mins), Lindegaard (Peters 70 mins). Subs not used: O'Brien, Thompson, Weale.

Referee: D Spicer (Totton).

Attendance: 3,393.