Half-time: Lincoln City 2 Hereford United 3

Hereford were fortunate to survive a third minute scare when after some haphaqzard defending, Adam Bartlett pulled off an excellent save to deny Ashley Grimes.

But the Bulls swept downfield and Mansset seized on a Kenny Lunt pass to slide his 10th goal of the season past Joe Anyon.

Bartellt, however, was almost immediately back in the action, diving low to keep out another Grimes header.

The keeper was beaten, though, on seven minutes when Townsend failed to deal with a cross to the back post and Bartlett was beaten by Jamie Clapham from close range.

Grimes, a constant danger in the opening phase, deflected a Mustapha Carayol cross past a post on 10 minutes as the action continued unabated.

Hereford were right of luck when a Fleetwood rocket smacked against a post in the 17th minute as the Bulls attack posed plenty of threat.

And Fleetwood had another chance moments later when he fired over after a good run by Ryan Green.

But Lincoln also went close with a diving header by Luke Howell just clearing the bar.

And it was the home side who went in front on 24 minutes.

Facey beat Townsend in the air, and with the Bulls skipper floundering advanced into the area before beating Bartlett with a shot into the corner.

The Imps drew confidence from their goal and almost added another when Carayol headed straight at Bartlett.

The Bulls keeper punched out an Albert Jarrett free-kick after Ryan Green had been yellow-carded for a foul on Carayol.

Hereford, rather against the odds, drew level on 35 minutes.

Manset found some space on the left and crossed for Fleetwood to crash home left-footed from close-range.

And the Bulls should have taken the lead in the 42nd minute when Townsend, from a yard out, headed up and against the bar from a McQuilkin free-kick.

The next goal was delayed, though, by just seconds, with Fleetwood curling a sublime shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.