SUBSTITUTE Kerry Giddings helped himself to two goals in as many minutes in a determined Hereford fight-back against Nationwide Con-ference strugglers Hayes at Edgar Street on Saturday.

It gave the Bulls their first Conference double of the season following a 2-0 win at Church Road back in August.

After a dire first half, in which the only memorable moment produced a freakish goal for the visiting Missioners, the outlook appeared bleak for the Bulls, who have lost by a single goal on no less than eight occasions this term.

Barry Moore, the visitors' most industrious player throughout, tried his luck from fully 30 yards just after the half hour and was as surprised as anyone when his effort bobbled and went past Hereford keeper Scott Cooksey, whose mistimed dive was in vain.

Hereford skipper Ian Wright (hamstring) and top scorer Gavin Williams (ankle) were both forced off at half-time with injuries and a way back into the match with their relegation-battling visitors seemed unlikely.

However, Giddings replaced Williams in the United frontline and proceeded to net twice within 25 minutes of his arrival to put the hosts ahead, before Rob Elmes added a third nine minutes later.

The first half had arguably been the worst endured at Edgar Street this term, although there was only a paltry crowd of 1,368 to witness the drab display - the Bulls' lowest Conference attendance of the season.

But Giddings, perhaps fired by a 63rd-minute tussle with Hayes midfielder Steve McKimm in which he was unceremoniously shoved to the floor, soon gave the home fans something to cheer.

A corner from the left from Michael McIndoe was helped on by Elmes, and Giddings, who received the ball with his back to goal, swivelled neatly and fired past Missioners keeper Paul Gothard from five yards.

Then, in the 69th minute, came the undoubted highlight of the match. Giddings picked up a long ball out of defence from United player-coach Phil Robinson some 15 yards into the Hayes half.

The substitute striker muscled his way past centre-back Dominic Sterling down the right flank, cut inside into the visitors' area, dashed across the face of the box and then unleashed a perfectly-placed left-footed finish into the bottom right corner of Gothard's net.

Robinson went close after 77 minutes when he found space in the 18-yard box, but his first effort was smartly parried by Gothard and Sterling blocked a second attempt when the ball rebounded to the Bulls midfielder.

However, from the resultant corner, taken by McIndoe from the right, Elmes capitalised on indecision from the Hayes defence and stole in at the near post to turn the ball home.

Missioners defender Brendan Gallen ensured a nervy finish when he snatched an injury-time consolation in the third additional minute.

A slip from Robinson allowed Gallen time and space to smash home a cross from substitute Errol Telemaque at the far post, but Hereford held firm to claim their second Conference win of 2001.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright (Gardiner 46 mins), Wall, Rodgerson, Snape, Elmes, Williams (Giddings 46 mins), McIndoe. Subs not used: Quiggin, Baker, Moran.

Hayes: Gothard, Spencer (Bezhadi 59 mins), Gallen, Dyer (Molesley 79 mins), Coppard, Sterling, McKimm, Moore, Stevens (Telemaque 79 mins), Boylan, Hodson. Subs not used: None.

Referee: A Marriner (Birmingham).

Attendance: 1,368.