A CLASSY strike by Graham Evans sealed a 2-0 victory for Hereford United at the Victoria Ground to see off spirited Bromsgrove Rovers last night.

Trialist Evans rifled in a powerful second goal in the 60th minute, but only after a strong Hereford line-up were tested thoroughly by fired-up Bromsgrove in the derby match.

Rovers boss Jimmy Mullen handed debuts to goalkeeper Andy Pryce, winger Sean Williams and midfielder Marlon Walters. Pryce, who joined Rovers from Market Drayton, was given a testing work-out by United in the first-half but proved equal to all that was thrown at him.

He dived to his right in the 16th minute to palm away Rob Purdie's goal-bound shot.

The goalkeeper then produced a double save from Evans and Andy Williams in the 24th minute to deny Hereford, who had pinned Rovers back in their own box. The home side rallied and Lee Greenaway had Rovers' only shot on target of the first-half, which was held by new loan 'keeper Wayne Brown.

But the visitors broke the deadlock four minutes into the second-half. Williams shrugged off tackles by Ross Collins and Phil Male before passing to Evans, whose shot was touched in by Danny Carey-Bertram.

Evans finished Rovers off when Steve Hillman allowed Williams' cross to slip to Evans just outside the box and the striker showed good control to thump it past sub 'keeper Lee Evans. Rovers did their best to fight back, with Greenaway and Barnes-Homer carving out half-chances, but it was not enough.

Rovers: Pryce (Evans), Gardiner (Williams), Hillman (Ecclestone), Male, Collins, Walters (Hadland), Williams (Francis), Erraji (Johnson), Greenaway, Barnes-Homer, Banner (Daniels).

Hereford: Brown (Mawson), Gwynne, Purdie (Brady), Jeannin, Mkandawire (R Williams), Beckwith (Campbell), Smith, Stanley (Morrison), Carey-Bertam (Stansfield), Evans (Brown), A Williams.