Hereford United 1 Accrington Stanley 0 HEREFORD are up to eighth place in the League 2 table after achieving back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Once again the Bulls' goal hero was Alan Connell who struck for the third time in consecutive matches and is now proving a really useful performer in the whole' behind front two Stuart Fleetwood and Andy Williams.

Connell would, however, probably be among the first to admit that his strike against the reigning Conference champions came with a little good fortune.

The former Torquay man's volley from the edge of the penalty area was by no means perfectly hit but the spin imparted on the ball took the shot out of goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin's grasp and into the back of the net.

"If you don't shoot you don't score and Alan Connell has had a very good record as a goalscorer," said Bulls chief Graham Turner. "After today I can see why."

Hereford made a couple of changes from the side which won at Milton Keynes last week.

Rob Purdie, an effective substitute at right-wing back against the Dons for Trent McClenahan, was included from the start after the Australian failed a fitness test on his injured knee.

And there was a first start for Neil MacKenzie who has joined the Bulls on a month's loan from Scunthorpe United.

MacKenzie quickly formed a good understanding with fellow loanee John Eustace in the middle of the park and the pair were hard-working, perceptive and always available to receive a pass.

Eustace set up the first chance for Andy Williams but the youngster headed his free-kick wide.

Connell then saw a volley flash inches wide as the Bulls had the better of the first half-hour.

Stanley came into the game in the quarter-hour before the break and Wayne Brown pulled off a good save from Sean Doherty after the winger surged past Tamika Mkandawire.

Largely, however, the goalkeepers were not overworked during a first period which produced some good approach play without the final pass being evident.

All that should have changed seconds into the second period when Andy Todd pulled a cross back to ex-Bull David Brown but he was unable to get much power in his shot and his namesake Wayne pulled off a fine parry.

Williams, who might have done better with a weakly-hit shot just before the break, was unfortunate to draw an excellent stop from Dunbavin with a powerful drive on 68 minutes. But all the indication were that the game was headed for a goalless draw until Connell struck five minutes from time.

There was still time for Brown to pull off a brave save at the feet of Ian Craney before referee Scott Mathieson's whistle announced three more important points for the Bulls.

Hereford: Brown; Mkandawire, Gulliver, Beckwith; Purdie, Eustace, MacKenzie, Jeannin; Connell; Williams (Sills, 80 min), Fleetwood. Subs not used: Thompson, Rose, Webb, Ferrell.