HEREFORD finally brought their winless run of five games to an end with an excellent 1-0 victory at Meadow Lane.

Tim Sills was the Bulls' hero, heading in eight minutes from time to notch his first goal since August and move United back into 10th place.

Hereford, who showed four changes from the side which played at Shrewsbury last week, held their own in a first- half which produced plenty of endeavour from both sides, if little in the way of chances.

County's first moment of real threat came in the 23rd minute when Junior Mendes cut in from the left and drove a low shot across the goal and wide.

Four minutes later, United keeper Wayne Brown had to make his first real save, diving to smother a David Pipe shot.

But Hereford then took over the initiative and Rob Purdie, United's liveliest raider in the first 45 minutes, forced a good save from keeper Saul Deeney with a well-struck drive.

Alan Connell then saw a shot blocked after good build-up play by Sills and Luke Webb.

At the start of the second period, Purdie drew a good save from Deeney as Hereford made a promising start. But after that, it was hard work for Hereford who were pegged back for long periods by County's industrious midfield.

Substitute Andy Parkinson had the home supporters on their feet with a curling effort which drifted narrowly wide and the game looked set to end in stalemate until the introduction of substitute Stuart Fleetwood.

The young striker raced on to a Purdie pass and got to the bye-line before delivering a cross for Sills to head in to an unguarded net.

Deep into injury time, home skipper Alan White volleyed narrowly wide but Hereford held on.

Hereford: Brown; Mkandawire, Gulliver, Rose; McClenahan, Ferrell, Webb, Travis; Purdie; Sills, Connell (Fleetwood, 71 min) . Subs not used: Thompson, Giles, Sheldon, Jeannin.

Attendance: 4,107.