YUSIFU CEESAY’S first half strike was enough to see Hereford claim their third away win of the season against Bishop’s Stortford.

Both sides came close to taking the lead in the opening stages but it was Ceesay’s 31st minute goal which broke the deadlock with the Bulls holding onto the lead for all three points.

The Bulls’ away form has been mixed this season and came into the match with just two from their 11 league games.

Meanwhile, their basement hosts have won just four league games this season after being promoted from the Isthmian League Premier Division last season.

An early chance fell the way of Jason Cowley when Ceesay’s cross found him inside the box with five minutes played, but the striker couldn’t direct his header on target.

Alex Babos’ corner found the head of Ollie Southern four minutes later but his header was also wide of Jack Giddens’ goal.

Bishop's Stortford were close to taking the lead in the 22nd minute when Gio McGregor’s corner was punched onto the post by Curtis Pond before being cleared.

The 31st minute saw the Bulls take the lead when Babos’ low cross fell to Ceesay inside the visitors box who fired home.

Babos nearly found Ceesay again in the 44th minute when the winger made a threatening run but Giddens was alert to sweep away the danger.

Stortford’s Kane Crichlow had an effort on goal in first half stoppage time which deflected dangerously off Tom Pugh before dropping wide of Pond’s post.

There was an appeal for a penalty in the 69th minute when Cowley, who had been played through on goal by Lassana Mendes, went down in the box under a challenge but the referee waved away any claims.

Hereford were pushing to seal the win and Aurio Teixeira nearly fed the ball through to Cowley in the 87th minute but his pass couldn’t quite find the number nine, leaving the scoreline to finish 1-0.

Hereford: Pond, Skinner, Teixeira, Downing, Ceesay, Babos (Howkins 90+5), Cowley (Freemantle 90), Pugh, Mendes, Southern, Cameron

Unused Subs: Livingstone, Tolley, Rooney