A GOAL by player-coach Phil Robinson after just 29 seconds was the prelude to one of Hereford's most convincing displays for several weeks.

Full of confidence after the early strike, United carved out chance after chance and, in the end, it was surprising that the Bulls had only further goals by Robin Elmes and Jimmy Quiggin to show for their dominance.

With a number of players still ruled out through injury and Paul Sturgess suspended, Hereford were forced into a fielding a weakened side with two youngsters from their North Birmingham Poly-technic feeder side, Melvin Gourlay and Nick Plotnick, on the substitutes' bench.

In the end, neither teenager was called upon as United extended the home side's run of games without a win to 13.

Hereford's opener came courtesy of an error by Russell Bradley, the man who famously quit the club for Halifax several seasons ago in a bid to 'further his career' and promptly ended up as part of a side which was relegated from the Football League.

Bradley had plenty of time to clear the ball but lost possession to Elmes who slipped the ball back to Michael McIndoe. The young Scot's cross was knocked down by Gavin Williams into Robinson's path and the player-coach drove home his second goal of the season from 10 yards.

Another ex-Hereford player, goalkeeper Mark Gayle, did rather better on the quarter-hour, producing a brilliant point-blank save from Matt Gardiner's header.

Gayle was, however, almost caught out just after when a McIndoe chip landed on the top of the net and he was beaten on 27 minutes when Elmes volleyed a McIndoe cross narrowly wide after a sublime Robinson pass put the midfielder clear.

Just before the break, Williams ran half the length of the field to set up a chance for Quiggin whose first time effort went just the wrong side of the post. But the United top scorer's efforts did bear some fruit on 61 minutes when his cross from the right caused panic in the Pitmen's penalty area and Elmes blasted home the loose ball.

Elmes also had a leading role in the final goal six minutes from time. Ian Rodgerson's excellent through ball found the schoolteacher in acres of space and he unselfishly squared the ball for Quiggin to smash home his first Conference goal.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, Rodgerson, Robinson, Gardiner, Wall, Quiggin, Snape, Elmes, Williams (Giddings 76 mins), McIndoe. Subs not used: Baker, Shirley, Gourlay, Plotnick.

Hednesford: Gayle, Haron, Griffiths (Sedgemore 36 mins), Cooper, Bradley (Airdie 63 mins), Lake, Bagshaw, Owen, Russell (Bonsall 63 mins), Davis, Pointon. Subs not used: Brown, Shakespeare.

Referee: G Salisbury (Preston).

Attendance: 1,043.