A LATE goal by Chris Hargreaves helped Hereford to a deserved win over their near neighbours in the Vauxhall Conference on Monday.

The Wembley-bound Robins, who face Southport in the FA Trophy final next month, were seen off by a Hereford side with confidence soaring as they marched on to their 13th game without a defeat.

Surprise package of the day was John Brough, restored to a striking role after playing most of the season in central defence. The former Shrewsbury man proved a real handful for the home defence and looked dangerous every time he got near goal. With a little more composure he could have added several times to his 14th-minute opener.

Star of the United side, however, and not for the first time in recent weeks, was veteran defender Trevor Matthewson. The centre-back's immaculate positional play ensured that scoring chances for ex-Bulls striker Neil Grayson were in very short supply. Grayson sent a 20-yarder just over the bar in the first half and nodded a Keith Knight centre narrowly over on 48 minutes, but otherwise was fighting a losing battle which eventually saw him withdrawn into a midfield role. Hereford generally made the early running and Brough, who had earlier smashed an Ian Rodgerson pass yards wide of the goal, was the man who gave the visitors an early advantage.

A perceptive Tony Agana pass released Rob Warner on the right and the midfielder's cross found Brough leaping at the near post to power a header past Steve Book. From that point onwards Hereford dominated what became an increasingly scrappy half, with even the introduction of veteran Clive Walker for injured Darren Wright failing to spark serious action from the home side.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Jamie Victory kicking a Brough cross away from the goalline, Book blocking a thunderous Warner drive, and Brough twice slipping shots wide of the post when well placed.

In the end it came as quite a surprise when Cheltenham levelled.

Leading scorer Dale Watkins, a second-half substitute for Knight, ran on to Lee Howells' pass and hammered in a 78th-minute shot which Andy Quy could only parry as far as Jason Eaton who scored from close range.

But Hereford were not to be deterred from their pursuit of a sixth double this season and, shortly after a Brough header had been kicked off the line, Hargreaves was in the right place to profit from a goalmouth scramble and drove a right-foot shot past Book from 12 yards. Warner was the only Hereford player to receive a yellow card, for a first half foul.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Warner, Brough, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, Agana, Walker, Mahon. Subs not used: Mansell, Parry, Williams.

Attendance: 3,039.