FREE-scoring Hereford United moved five points clear at the top of the Nationwide Conference table with a 5-1 demolition last night of struggling Northwich Victoria at Wincham Park.

The Bulls scored in the fourth minute of each half and then sealed the rout with a three-goal burst in the final 14 minutes.

Leading marksman Steve Guinan bagged a double, while David Brown, Danny Williams and Paul Parry also found the net for Hereford, who have now scored 37 goals in 13 matches.

Hereford manager Graham Turner said: "It's an excellent score-line but I think it was, perhaps, a bit flattering. Northwich did not make it easy for us, particularly in the first half, but we took our chances well."

Northwich made Hereford work hard after the Bulls took a fourth-minute lead. Brown turned on the right before crossing for Williams who drilled a shot past goalkeeper Andy Woods from close-range.

Jamie Pitman, Brown, Guinan and Williams all had chances to extend Hereford's lead but Northwich almost hit back when Mark Devlin's 20-yard shot was tipped over by Matt Baker.

United doubled their advantage in the 49th minute after a shot from Michael Rose took a deflection and broke for Brown who calmly side-footed the ball past Woods.

Jonny Allan failed to take advantage of a lapse by Baker and shot wide of a gaping goal but Baker redeemed himself soon afterwards, pushing away a 25-yard drive from substitute Richard Norris.

United added a third goal in the 76th minute after a probing run and cross by Parry found Ben Smith inside the area. Smith's shot was blocked but Guinan was on hand to hook the loose ball into the net.

The home side pulled a goal back in the 78th minute when Norris powered in a 25-yarder but United put the result beyond doubt six minutes later. Tony James broke from his own penalty area and slipped the ball to Danny Carey-Bertram who exchanged passes with Ben Smith before delivering a low cross for Parry to score.

United completed the rout in the third minute of stoppage-time when Ryan Green's chipped pass was collected by Guinan who hammered a shot into the far corner for his 11th goal of the season.

Hereford: Baker 7, Green 7, Rose 7, Pitman 6, James 8, Williams 7, Smith 7, Guinan 7, Brown 7 (Carey-Bertram 77), Parry 7, Mkandawire 7. Subs (not used): Scott, Teesdale, King, Craven. Attendance: 1,008.