IN-form Grimsby became the second side to complete a League Two double over Hereford United this season with this narrow victory at Edgar Street.

From seeming as if they were heading towards relegation following a disastrous run of form earlier in the year, the visitors have put together a run of six wins in seven games and are now just two points behind the Bulls.

It was far from a classic encounter with a blustery wind not helping the sides to play football. But the best chances fell to the visitors who just about deserved their win.

Hereford had their moments, however, and Alan Connell will feel that he should have claimed a point for the Bulls when he blazed yards over three minutes from time after a fine run by Danny Thomas.

After a drab opening, Grims-by were first to threaten on 11 minutes when full-back Tom Newey ended a fine 40-yard run with a blockbusting drive which flashed inches over.

Hereford, however, had a chance to open the scoring seven minutes later when Andy Williams' cross was flapped by goalkeeper Phil Barnes into the path of Con-nell.

The United man was unable to bring the ball under control and, in the end, Andy Ferrell, deputising for the injured Steve Jennings, saw his shot deflected for a corner.

After that, it was Grimsby who had the better of the first period. Wayne Brown had to pull off an excellent save when Nick Fenton got in a powerful header to Danny Boshell's corner on 24 minutes.

Two minutes later, it was Boshell's turn to be denied when he blasted a shot straight at Brown who then denied Ciaran Toner.

Nine minutes into the second period, it seemed as if United had taken the lead.

Steve Guinan lashed a shot into the net after Barnes had again flapped, this time at a Thomas corner. But referee Mark Oliver ruled out the strike for a foul on the goalkeeper by Tamika Mkanda-wire.

Hereford built neatly thr-ough midfield for a while but failed to test Barnes and Grimsby were able to clinch their victory 14 minutes from time.

Substitute Peter Till worked the ball into the path of Paul Bolland who lashed an unstoppable shot past Brown.

Hereford continued to force corners - 12 in all against their opponents' three - and their pressure looked set to pay off finally in the closing stages.

But Connell blazed over and, despite an amazing goalmouth melee in injury time, it was to be Grimsby's day and their 261 fans among the crowd of 2,914 went home happy.

Hereford: Brown; Travis (Mc-Clenahan, 82 min), Mkanda-wire, Rose, Purdie; Williams, Ferrell (Sills, 91 min), Smith, Thomas; Guinan, Connell. Subs not used: Thompson, Gulliver, Webb.

Attendance: 2,914.