ANDY Holt's 29th minute strike gave Northampton an interval lead after a half in which Hereford forced 10 corners.

Hereford had a chance to take the lead in the first minute when Jennison Myrie-Williams’ pass set up a shooting opportunity for Pugh who sliced his shot wide of the target.

Andy Williams then rifled a shot wide after a good pass from Steve Guinan.

A fine tackle by Gowling took the ball away from the pacy Ikechi Anya at the expense of a corner.

Mark Hughes’ header from the flag-kick drew an excellent save from Peter Gulacsi.

Cobblers keeper Chris Dunn reciprocated almost immediately at the other end to tip over a good free-kick from Pugh.

The winger was to the fore again when wasted a great chance to take the lead on 24 minutes.

Pugh picked out Guinan with a good cross from the left but, for once, the Bulls leading scorer failed to deliver, blazing high over from eight yards.

Shortly afterwards, Hereford had to replace Gowling with Beckwith and they fell behind four minutes later.

The Bulls defence failed to deal with Hughes’ cross from the right and the ball broke to Andy Holt who fired past Gulacsi.

But the Bulls were far from cowed by the goal and continued to create chances in an open and entertaining game.

A Myrie-Williams corner flashed through the six-yard box to Pugh whose drive drew a fine stop from Dunn.

But the keeper was grasping air moments later when, following another Myrie-Williams flag-kick, Guinan’s shot thumped against the inside of post and was cleared.

Then, from United’s eighth corner of the half, Guinan headed across goal to Rose whose header was brilliantly tipped over for another flag-kick.