HOT-SHOT Neil Grayson took his season's tally to eight by grabbing both Hereford's goals in their GM Vauxhall Conference win at Kettering on Saturday.

But, with a little more composure and a less agile goalkeeper than Poppies debutant Andy Quy, the former Northampton striker could have had a hatful.

''Their keeper played really well but I mishit a few. In fact I mishit the second goal but luckily it went in anyway,'' Grayson admitted afterwards. His first effort on goal came with just a minute played when his volley was brilliantly saved by Quy, and then, after a Gavin Mahon free-kick had narrowly cleared the bar, Grayson headed just over from an Andy Milner cross.

Quy produced another breathtaking save from a Milner shot with six minutes played, but he should have been given no chance after 18 minutes when a fine move down the left involving Mahon and Ian Foster left Jamie Pitman in a great position just 10 yards out. The midfielder, however, shot straight at Quy.

Pitman made amends four minutes later, though, when Milner and Mahon combined to release him down the right and the youngster produced an excellent deep cross which Grayson, on the far post, headed back past Quy and into the net. Richard Walker, Grayson and Milner all went close to adding a second before Milner did put the ball in the net on 39 minutes, but his goal was disallowed for pushing.

With Hereford continuing to dominate, Grayson should have added a second after a one-two with Pitman but shot wide from a good position. Kettering, who had been totally outplayed in the first 45 minutes, finally won their first corner four minutes into the second half, but the action moved swiftly back to the other end where Grayson should again have done better after a fine left-wing run by Foster.

United's leading scorer then saw a header from a Rob Warner cross tipped over by Quy before finally gaining his reward after 69 minutes. Chris Hargreaves, playing in an unfamiliar full- back role in the absence of Murray Fishlock, sent in a free-kick from the right and, after a scramble, Grayson poked the ball home from a couple of yards out.

Much to everyone's surprise, Kettering pulled a goal back after 74 minutes when Peter Costello ran on to a long ball from player-manager Steve Berry and netted with a powerful drive from the edge of the box past Mark Gayle, who previously had not faced anything which remotely resembled a shot.

Hereford still finished the stronger despite this setback and Walker went close to adding a third when his volley hit the angle of post and bar with 11 minutes to play. The only blot on United's display was a yellow card for Foster for kicking the ball away.

Hereford: Gayle, Warner, McGorry, Pitman, Brough, Walker, Hargreaves, Milner, Grayson, Foster, Mahon. Subs not used: Matthewson, Jordan, Cook.

Attendance: 1,404.