MIDFIELDER Gareth Stoker netted the quickest goal of the day in the Nationwide Football League to give Hereford victory in their opening Third Division home match at Edgar Street on Saturday. The goal, scored after just 1 min 56 secs, resulted from a blunder by Rovers defender Paul Robertson whose attempted back-pass fell well short of keeper Dean Williams. Chris Hargreaves seized his chance to pounce and deliver a low cross to the hard-working Stoker who made a well-timed run from midfield to ram the ball into the net from close range. Rovers player-manager Kerry Dixon, the former England international who was appointed on the first day of the season after the abrupt sacking of manager Sammy Chung, commented: ''The way we conceded that goal was appalling.''

United director of football Graham Turner said: ''When you play only two up front you have to look for support from midfield and that's what Gareth did. ''Overall we handled Kerry Dixon well and this win will be another boost to the players' confidence. At times we moved the ball well in good areas but we need to improve our passing and learn that there are occasions when you have to be patient.''

One pleasing factor in United's first three matches is that they have conceded only one goal, although on Saturday they looked vulnerable in the air at set-pieces. In the first half keeper Andy DeBont had to produce a double save, first with his fist and then with his leg, to foil big defender Darren Moore from Ian Clark's free-kick.

In the 13th minute, however, he was fortunate to see Dixon outjump the home defence for Paul Birch's free-kick and land a header on top of the bar. Then, when Dixon chested the ball back to Ian Gore, he drove wide from a good position. As half-time approached DeBont was in action again, holding on to a Moore header and a long-range shot from Jamie Murphy. After the interval most of the play took place in Rovers' half.

Williams did well to tip a chip shot from Murray Fishlock over the bar after good work by Gavin Mahon. But he was left stranded in the 69th minute as skipper David Norton curled a powerful 30-yarder against the far post. When the ball rebounded to Adrian Foster he had a great chance to net, only to side-foot his shot wide. In the closing minutes United survived a couple of anxious moments. Birch's shot skimmed the bar and, when his corner was nodded on by Jon Schofield to Steve Piearce, the substitute's header flew just over the top of the goal.

Burslem referee Anthony Bates booked three Hereford players, John Brough, Keith Downing and Adrian Foster, while Rovers' Tim Ryan and Schofield were also shown the yellow card.

Hereford: DeBont, Norton, Townsend, Smith, Brough, Fishlock, Stoker, Downing, Mahon, Hargreaves, A. Foster. Subs not used: Pitman, I. Foster Cook.

Attendance: 2,880.