Hereford gave their fans a welcome pre-Christmas tonic by easily seeing off the Nationwide Conference leaders in their LDV Vans Trophy first round tie at Edgar Street on Tuesday.

For United, who meet Second Division Reading in the next round, it was a welcome return to goalscoring form after strikes by Gavin Williams, John Snape, Matt Clarke and substitute James Quiggin helped to set aside memories of the previous two goalless Saturdays at Edgar Street.

But for Yeovil it was a rare defeat in a season in which they have carried almost all before them. This reverse was their first in 17 games and it was a first loss for Glovers boss Colin Addison in his 12th game in charge.

The former United hero was quick, however, to pay tribute to his old club.

"There are no excuses. Hereford played very well, they wanted it more and gave us a good thrashing," he said.

After a fairly even opening, Hereford's success was built around a burst of three goals in nine minutes either side of half-time.

Williams, United's leading scorer, had earlier been foiled by a fine save from debutant Chris Weale but made no mistake on 40 minutes when he turned in Phil Robinson's shot from a cross by Paul Sturgess.

The best goal of the game came two minutes later when Snape, who has had some difficulty finding his range from distance this season, lashed home a tremendous 25-yarder after a Michael McIndoe corner was only partially cleared.

Williams almost added a third on the stroke of half-time but the Bulls had only to wait four minutes into the second period for the tie to be put beyond doubt.

Skipper Ian Wright headed a McIndoe corner back across goal and Clarke was waiting to bundle the ball home from close range.

Unfortunately, the excitement of scoring his third goal of the season caused a mental aberration in Clarke who collected a needless booking for taking off his shirt in celebration.

Weale, who had an excellent game despite conceding four goals, was then the only barrier between Yeovil and a complete rout as he saved brilliantly from Williams and substitute Ian Rodgerson.

The keeper enjoyed a little fortune when another Williams shot was hacked off the line by Dave Piper but was helpless as Quiggin applied the final touch when Wright headed across goal to notch his first goal for United three minutes from time.

Hereford meet Reading at Edgar Street on Tuesday, January 9.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, Gardiner, Clarke, Snape (Rodgerson 78 mins), Giddings, Williams (Quiggin 86 mins), McIndoe. Subs not used: Baker, Moran, Wall.

Yeovil: Weale, Piper, Poole, Skiverton (Peters 57 mins), White, O'Brien, Meecham (Belgrave 64 mins), Smith, Patmore, Crittenden, Risbridger (Bent 64 mins). Subs not used: Pennock, Steele.

Referee: M Warren (Walsall).

Attendance: 853.