Hereford continued their climb up the Nationwide Conference with a deserved victory over higher-placed Stevenage on Monday.

The victory extended the Bulls' unbeaten league run to nine games and they are now in eighth place in the table, 12 points behind leaders Kidderminster Harriers.

Steventage could point to Paul Parry's fortuitous opening strike and being denied by the woodwork on three occasions, but really Graham Turner's men thoroughly merited the victory.

Rated as one of the best performances from a visiting side at Stevenage this season, it was immediately obvious that Hereford were not going to surrender their unbeaten run lightly.

On-loan keeper Scott Cook-sey saved comfortably from Danny Hockton's header in the opening stages, while Leroy May's flick header from a Paul Sturgess long throw was just kept out by Chris Taylor in the Borough goal.

Hereford were fortunate not to go behind on 21 minutes when Ian King's right-footed drive smacked off the post. But their attacking intent was rewarded in the 35th minute when Parry's left-foot shot took a wicked deflection off Lee Kersey and flew over a helpless Taylor.

The lead was doubled within three minutes as midfield general Ian Rodgerson picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and hammered it past Taylor's right hand.

Hereford continued to look good in the minutes before and after half-time.

But their lead could have been halved when Carl Alford, the Conference's leading marksman again this season, spotted Cooksey out of position and his driven shot hit an upright.

Cooksey made good stops from Alford and Kirby as the home side searched for a way back, May going close to sealing the match at the other end. Alford was denied by the post for a second time in the 73rd minute after pulling down Lee Harvey's deep cross, while May and Paul Fewings ensured Hereford were still offering a potent attacking threat.

A third goal arrived three minutes into injury time, Gavin Williams' cross finding fellow sub Rob Elmes to head home at the far post.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Clarke, James, White, Rodgerson, Snape, May, Fewings (Elmes 87m in), Parry (Williams 78 min).Subs not used: Quy, Hanson, Shirley.

Attendance: 1,940.