A VICIOUS free-kick by Brian McGorry a minute before half-time sealed this victory which eased relegation tension at Edgar Street and gave Hereford their first home win in six Third Division outings.

His first goal for the Bulls since his transfer deadline move from Wycombe could prove to be one of the most important ever netted at Edgar Street. It gave them a five-point cushion over bottom club Brighton who were pipped 1-0 at Scunthorpe. The breakthrough came after Peter Cawley fouled Adrian Foster 25 yards out. Cawley was booked for the offence, as were David Greene and Paul Buckle, also for fouls on Hereford's top scorer.

Colchester, who were badly in need of the points to revitalise their bid for a promotion play-off place, were stunned when McGorry unleashed a ferocious drive. Keeper Carl Emberson got a hand to the ball but the pace of the shot proved too much for him. McGorry said: ''I struck it well and saw it hit the back of the net. It was a brilliant feeling.'' Colchester manager Steve Wignall commented: ''It was some free-kick in a scrappy game. Hereford have really thrown a spanner in our play-off hopes.''

The goal certainly enabled United director of football Graham Turner to enjoy a relaxing day trout fishing on Sunday. He said: ''It was a vital win. We gave a spirited first-half performance and used the advantage of the wind well. ''With the result so important, we did lose a little bit of belief in ourselves after half-time but character and determination saw us through.''

When McGorry scored Colchester were down to 10 men as striker Mark Sale retired in the 38th minute to have three stitches inserted in a head wound. Tony Adcock replaced him at the start of the second half but, after just seven minutes, he suffered a facial injury and was replaced by Joe Dunne.

The Bulls dominated the first-half play but the shots that tested Ember-son all came from long range. He was fully exended to push another 30-yard McGorry pile-driver over the bar and in the 36th minute he had to produce an encore to keep out Matthewson's shot from an even greater distance.

Immediately after McGorry had scored Buckle shot over Hereford's bar and in the second period home keeper Trevor Wood had a busier time. He saved well from Scott Stamps and Paul Abrahams and, when he was beaten by former Hereford midfielder Richard Wilkins, who captained the visitors, Dean Smith made a crucial goalline clearance.

In the 72nd minute Smith retired with a groin injury but Hereford held out as Colchester threw men forward in a a desperate attempt to salvage a point.

Hereford: Wood, Norton, Smith, (Brough 72 mins), Matthewson, Sandeman, Warner, McGorry, Turner, Fishlock, Adrian Foster (Ian Foster 79 mins), Hargreaves. Sub not used: Hibbard.

Attendance: 2,535.