Hereford extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with an entertaining victory over third-placed Woking in the Vauxhall Conference at Edgar Street on Saturday. Director of football Graham Turner was delighted with the result, which saw his side rise to fifth place in the table, their best position since the season's very early days.

''Woking are a decent side and their front two are particularly lively,'' he said. ''But I thought overall we deserved to win.'' The Bulls' new-found resilience enabled them to fight back after one of that lively striking duo, Steve West, had given the Cards a 17th-minute lead.

West became the first opponent to beat Andy Quy from open play since February 10 when he glanced home Kevin Betsy's left-wing cross. The goal meant, at least, that justice was served for the Woking forward. A minute previously his powerful shot had smashed against Quy's right-hand post, only to rebound into the goalkeeper's arms.

Nine minutes after West's opener, Woking were celebrating again when Michael Danzey had the ball in the net following an Andy Ellis corner, but the jubilation was cut short when referee Guy Beale ruled the goal out for an infringement. United, who had already contributed much to a highly enjoyable contest, were back on level terms in the 29th minute.

Skipper Brian McGorry seized on a weak headed clearance and his surging run was carrying him towards the goal when he was tripped by Eddie Saunders. Referee Beale pointed to the penalty spot and Chris Hargreaves stepped up to hammer the ball past Woking goalkeeper Lawrence Batty into the corner of the net.

Ten minutes before the break and United were in front. Jamie Pitman played the ball forward from deep in his own half and, with the Woking defence pushing up, Richard Leadbeater ran on, rounded the advancing Batty and showed considerable composure to slide the ball home from 30 yards.

Woking's Grant Payne looked set to square matters in the opening minute of the second half when he burst into the Hereford area but John Brough's excellently-timed challenge cleared the danger.

Hereford also continued to carve out openings, with the best coming on 54 minutes when Pitman released McGory on the right and his cross was flicked on by Leadbeater to Hargreaves who nodded the ball inches wide.

As Woking strove for an equaliser, full-back Smith burst into the box but Quy was down quickly to hold his well-struck effort.

United's defence continued to be tested by the Woking attack but withstood the pressure well with Ian Rodgerson, in particular, in outstanding form.

Brough picked up a second-half yellow card for dissent and referee Beale also added the names of Woking's Danzey, Scott Steele and Richard Goddard to his collection.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman, Brough, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGory, Cook, Leadbeater, Mahon. Subs not used: Walker, Warner, Williams.

Attendance: 2,281.