A DOUBLE strike by Neil Grayson, a first-ever competitive goal after 14 months with the club from Ian Foster, and a slice of good fortune gave Hereford a finger-biting, local-derby victory and lifted them into fourth place in the GM Vauxhall Conference on Monday.

The home fans in the 3,704 strong crowd, the biggest attendance in the Conference this season, thanks to a boost of 658 away supporters, had to endure some palpitating moments before United clinched their first home victory in the competition.

Cheltenham took a 12th-minute lead through Dale Watkins, scorer of 35 goals for Gloucester City last season, and they could have been three up before Grayson equalised with a superb 42nd- minute goal. Two goals in three minutes by Grayson and Foster midway through the second period seemingly put Hereford in control. But, after Jason Eaton had made it 3-2 in the 82nd minute, United survived some desperate goalmouth skirmishes to hold on to the points.

United director of football Graham Turner admitted: ''It is the luckiest three points we'll get. After we were on top at 3-1, poor defending put them back in the game and they could have scored again in the last few minutes. ''Even so Grayson's first goal was top quality and, although their keeper was at fault for the second, it was still a bright finish by Foster.''

Although disappointed at gaining no reward, Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill said: ''Hereford will be among the title contenders and Grayson will cause opponents plenty of problems.''

The game was in its 13th minute when Chris MacKenzie failed to cut out Russell Milton's cross, allowing Mike Duff to lay on a simple chance for Watkins to score. Fortunately, Watkins then planted a header straight at MacKenzie, while Eaton headed wide from a good position. In the 33rd minute Turner withdrew midfielder Brian McGorry for Foster to spearhead the home attack alongside Grayson, with Tony Agana tucking in behind the front two.

The move paid off 11 minutes later. Foster played a perfectly timed pass back to Grayson who left keeper Steve Book helpless with a ferocious 20-yard drive. Early in the second period Grayson hooked another good effort just wide before Foster put United ahead in the 62nd minute. Book dropped Ian Rodgerson's centre and Foster half-volleyed the ball into the empty net.

The exuberant Foster then discarded his shirt and waved it joyously to the Meadow End fans but a less indulgent referee than Paul Walton might well have reported him for his extravagant celebrations.

Three minutes later Foster completed an impressive performance by delivering a through pass to Grayson. The striker pushed the ball past Book and raced through to stab it over the line for his fourth goal in the last three matches.

But when United's defence failed to close down Darren Wright and he put Eaton through to score from close range in the 82nd minute, a hectic finish ensued. Chris Hargreaves hacked a shot off the line, Jimmy Smith missed a good chance, and Watkins whipped a shot against the outside of an upright.

Hereford: MacKenzie, Rodgerson, Matthewson, Norton, Walker, Fishlock, McGorry (Foster 32 min), Mahon, Hargreaves, Grayson, Agana (Brough 87 min). Sub not used: Pitman.

Attendance: 3,704.