HEREFORD manager Russell Slade says his side are starting to build a mentality at getting victories in difficult conditions.

The Bulls put in a professional performance at Leamington to run away 2-0 victors with Peter Vincenti heading home the opener in the second half before Josh Gowling fired home to seal the away win.

The Bulls have now won three games on the bounce and four in all competitions.

 “I’m pleased that we’re starting to get a mentality going which is the strongest thing really,” said Slade.

“If we’re going to go on a journey and be successful we’ve got to have that strong mentality. When things are difficult and uncomfortable we’ve still got to be comfortable in the game.

“We’ve still got to be efficient, when things aren’t going well we’ve still got to keep a clean sheet. That’s what we did tonight we kept that clean sheet and then we’re able to build.

“If you keep a clean sheet, you’re going to give yourself every chance of winning the game.”

In the first half Leamington provided a threat with Callum Gittings taking his luck from range before Kieran Dunbar shot wide.

However, the best chance before the break fell to Jacob Jagger Cane who forced the goalkeeper into a fine save.

“In the first half we had to defend as they were really direct, they put the ball on our back four and tried to make life very difficult,” added Slade.

“They are quite strong from set plays and we have given far too many things away. We have given them opportunities to put balls in our box which was a little bit of a concern.

“In the first half they were winning a lot of the second balls and we weren’t getting a grip in the middle of the park and that’s why I was a bit concerned.

“But we’ve managed to get to half-time 0-0 and the second half was a very mature performance, we played when we needed to, and we finished really well.

“In the second half we won that midfield and we were getting it into pockets. We were getting it into (Peter) Vincenti and (Jordan) Nicholson and all of a sudden we were a threat.

“Vincenti was a threat and has got another goal again.

“That’s typical of him in the right place at the right time. It was a very important goal for us.

“I have seen sparks but it’s the most consistent he’s been. Don’t forget he hasn’t played an awful lot in the last nine months so he’s only going to get better.

“I think we’ve already seen in the last two games really that he can be a goal threat. If you put the ball in and around that box he’s going to be anchoring himself there and scoring.

“He has scored a lot of goals in the six yard box in his career and he’s helped himself to another one tonight.

“We have a little bit about us at times to get different types of ball into the box whether it’s a pull back or a cross and we can hurt teams.”

Hereford head to Tamworth in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday with £11,000 prize money for the winner.

 “I love the cup and if you can have a good run it breeds confidence,” added Slade.

“It’s the best cup competition in the world, we should embrace it and enjoy it.”