Hereford opened their GM Vauxhall Conference win account at the third time of asking with an encouraging success at Farnborough on Saturday.

Although United were not at their very best, a win at last season's seventh-placed side will gave Graham Turner's men some much-needed confidence after a hesistant start to the campaign. Hereford, fielding an unchanged side, dominated the first half and hardly allowed the Cherry-wood Road side a strike on goal. In contrast, United's forwards had a couple of good spells at the beginning and end of the half when they kept the Farnborough defence under pressure and had a number of opportunities to open the scoring.

Neil Grayson had the ball in the net after only five minutes, heading home a Murray Fishlock cross, but was adjudged off-side. The former Northampton striker got in two more good efforts in the opening 12 minutes, forcing a save from Stuart MacKenzie when he latched on to a Brian McGorry pass and then heading a Chris Hargreaves centre just over.

With play becoming scrappy, much of the action was then confined to midfield until Hereford suddenly came to life again in the last five minutes of the period. Skipper David Norton fired a 30-yarder just over and Hargreaves forced a fine save from MacKenzie with a well-struck shot from just outside the area. Phil Wingfield and Martin Rowlands sent in good long-range efforts at the start of the second half but Hereford hit back to take the lead after 66 minutes. Gavin Mahon released Grayson down the right and his cross was headed in by the stooping Fishlock at the near post.

Shortly afterwards Ian Foster replaced Mahon and after 78 minutes the substitute made his mark. The ex-Liverpool youngster beat the off-side trap as he ran on to a pass from Rodgerson and carried the ball from the half-way line before slipping a pass to Grayson who had the straightforward task of netting his second goal in successive games.

Hargreaves and Tony Agana were both shown the yellow card in the closing stages by referee Wendy Toms as Hereford held on comfortably to the three points.

Hereford: MacKenzie, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Matthewson, Norton, Walker, Hargreaves, Agana, Grayson, McGorry, Mahon (sub Foster, 72 mins, 6). Subs not used: Brough, Pitman.

Attendance: 1,097