Hereford brought a run of four games without a win to an end with a narrow success at the Holker Street ground on Saturday.

The first-ever meeting between United and their Cumbrian rivals -- the side they replaced in the Football League in 1972 -- was settled in spectacular fashion by Garry Cook's first goal of the season.

Cook, who seems to relish United's longest trips, added to previous strikes at Sittingbourne and Morecambe when he spotted home goalkeeper Roy Naylor off his line in the 21st minute and coolly lobbed the ball home from fully 30 yards.

Cook, restored to the starting line-up in place of Mark Druce, and his United team-mates hardly looked as though they had been sitting on a coach for four and a half hours as, aided by a strong breeze at their backs, they made a lively opening.

Gavin Williams, who once again gave a promising display, shaved the post with a 20-yarder in the 13th minute after Cook set him up, but it looked as though the home side had taken the lead in their first serious attack seven minutes later.

Carl MacAuley's cross from the right was powerfully headed home by Neil Morton, but referee Russell Tiffin cut short the celebrations by disallowing the goal for a push on Ian Wright.

Barrow's annoyance at the decision was immediately compounded by Cook's strike at the other end and United continued to push forward in search of a second goal.

But their momentum was interrupted after 33 minutes when Richard Leadbeater landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge and limped off with a twisted knee.

His replacement, Druce, came closest to adding to the United tally when he forced Naylor into a fine save on the stroke of half- time, pushing a close- range shot around the post.

Chris Boden and Williams both forced good saves from Naylor in the early stages of the second period, but after the break Andy Quy was the busier of the two goalkeepers, making good stops from Andy Mutch and Lee O'Keefe.

The United keeper should, however, have had no chance in the 62nd minute when former West Ham midfielder Mike Marsh's cross was headed across goal by Gary Bauress to the unmarked Morton who contrived to direct his header wide from six yards.

Five minutes from time Quy made a fine diving save to keep out a deflected Marsh shot before Cook wasted a great chance to wrap up the game at the other end, chipping over the bar after a brilliant run and pass by Williams had laid the chance on a plate for him.

The only blot on Williams's display was a harsh 40th-minute yellow card for the use of elbows when jumping for the ball. Richard Walker was also cautioned for a second-half foul on Morton.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Boden, Mahon, Wright, Walker, Williams, Taylor, Leadbeater, (sub Druce 33 mins), Cook (sub Fewings 89 mins), Snape. Sub not used: James.