TWO late goals ensured that Hereford stretched their unbeaten Nationwide Conference run to 11 games after a battling showing on Saturday.

Even though for long periods it was not the prettiest game, United dominated and their praise-worthy spirit eventually killed off their largely uninspiring visitors.

And three was the lucky number for the Bulls as their three-goal performance earned their third straight win and propelled them up to third place in the Conference.

Rob Elmes gave Hereford a dream start from the game's first attack of note on four minutes after Paul Sturgess found him unmarked at the far post.

Elmes rose almost unchallenged as the Pitmen's defence temporarily went to sleep and scored his 11th Conference goal of the season with a looping header over keeper Stuart Ford.

United suffered a few wobbly moments at the back, most notably when a headed back-pass from on-loan centre-back Tom White fell well short of keeper Andy Quy.

But, in his first start since September, Quy was alert to the danger and just managed to charge down the ball as Hednesford's leading scorer Neil Davis loomed.

Matt Clarke ran tirelessly all afternoon, while young winger Paul Parry created havoc down the left with some tricky running, but no one was quite able to add the finishing touch to his frequent crosses.

The Pitmen's lack of enterprise put paid to their hopes of salvaging anything from the game, but it was a lack of balance that cost them their best chance on the United goal five minutes into the second half.

Gary Twynham seemed suspiciously off-side but when play was allowed to continue the erstwhile Manchester United man seemed odds on to beat Quy as he bore down on goal.

But the stand-in striker overbalanced and tripped over his own feet to allow Quy to scramble the ball away for a corner.

The Pitmen failed to create any further opportunities and did not even trouble the Bulls' goal with a shot on target all game, while they demonstrated a more physical side with bookings for Scott Goodwin, Chris Brindley and Jimmy Kelly.

And, after 87 minutes, substitute Gavin Williams made the visitors pay when Ian Rodgerson won a tussle on the edge of the box with Hednesford skipper Kelly to put the ball through.

Williams kept his cool and slotted the ball past Ford and, with time running out, the Bulls completed a comfortable scoreline thanks to Elmes' second goal in the last minute.

The Hednesford marking again went missing, allowing Elmes time to set himself and powerfully volley home Chris Lane's perfect near-post cross to send the Edgar Street faithful home happy.

Hereford: Quy, Lane, Sturgess, Clarke, James, White, Rodgerson, Snape, May, Elmes, Parry (Williams 74 min). Subs not used: Rudall, Taylor, Warren, Shirley.

Hednesford: Ford, Evans, Colkin, Bradley, Brindley, Robinson (Airdrie 74 min), Kelly, Norbury, Davis, Goodwin (Lake 78 min), Twynham (Kimmins 68 min). Subs not used: Hickley, Comyn.

Referee: G Atkins (Bradford).

Attendance: 2,122.