Hereford climbed to their highest position -- fifth -- in the Football Conference this season after Richard Leadbeater's 80th-minute penalty clinched victory on Saturday.

But Doncaster, relegated from the Third Division last season, gave a battling performance which belied their bottom position. It was certainly not their day as they had enjoyed the better of the first half before Somerset referee Guy Beale sent off defender Simon Shaw in the 44th minute.

Shaw brought down Leadbeater from behind as the striker faced a one- on-one situation with keeper Andy Woods. That in itself was a red card offence but, as Shaw had previously been booked for a foul, there was no question he had to go.

Before the match United player-coach Keith Downing, who was an industrious midfielder, said his players had to be tougher mentally. On this occasion it was a much more physical confrontation. As well as the dismissal of Shaw -- Rovers' eighth red card this season -- the visitors also had five other players booked, while United's Downing and Leadbeater were yellow carded. Even so, although the tackling was hard, it was not vicious.

United director of football Graham Turner said: ''We knew they can play much better than their results suggest. They have some experienced players who are prepared to give it a go. I would have preferred Leadbeater to have gone through and scored rather than them to have a player sent off.''

Rovers crowded the home penalty area in the early stages and United conceded six free-kicks in the first nine minutes. A chance fell to Glen Kirkwood but he fired wide of the Bulls' goal. Debut-making Matt Clarke, signed from Kidderminster Harriers, showed up well in United's defence as Rovers continued to press.

At the other end Mark Druce lofted a shot out of the ground and it was not until the 41st minute that Woods was tested when he clutched Wayne Dyer's header from Ian Rodg-erson's cross.

After the break Rovers' depleted team were forced back on defence for long periods. They only had one anxious moment, however, when Leadbeater headed over Woods but skipper Dave Penney prevented the ball entering the net.

In a rare Doncaster attack Mark Jones did well to push away an Ian Duerden shot but a goalless draw looked on the cards until central defender Stuart Evans was impeded as he went for a Downing throw-in. Referee Beale had no hesitation in awarding a spot-kick which Leadbeater hit hard and low for his sixth goal of the campaign.

Rovers player-manager Ian Snodin said: ''The ball looked to be going about six-feet above Evans' head and none of our players owned up to fouling him.'' But Evans asserted: ''Their defender pulled at my shirt and pulled me around as I ran to the far post.''

A few minutes later the referee disregarded an even more blatant foul on Gary Cook in the penalty box after which Rovers surged forward for most of the remaining minutes. Fortunately for the Bulls Penney and Tommy Wright both shot over the bar when well placed.

Hereford: Jones, Lane (Williams 70 mins) Evans, Wright, Clarke, Rodgerson, Downing, Dyer, Taylor, Druce (Cook 65 mins) Leadbeater. Subs not used: Cross.