ALTHOUGH far from convincing over the 90 minutes, Hereford United brought their poor recent run of Nationwide Conference results against Midlands rivals Burton to an end on Saturday.

Of the last four matches between the sides, Burton had won three with the other a goalless draw at Edgar Street last season when the visitors scarcely bothered to venture out of their own half.

The same could certainly not be said about Saturday's encounter when, for long periods of the second-half in particular, Burton had the better of play and threatened to wipe out the advantage held by Hereford, thanks to Danny Carey-Bertram's 23rd minute goal.

In fact, it was not until the arrival of substitute Andy Williams nine minutes from time rekindled Hereford's attacking ambition that the result was settled.

Within two minutes, Williams had won a penalty after a lunge from Darren Stride which brought the Burton skipper an early bath with his second yellow card of the game.

Stride's Hereford counterpart Tony James stepped up to fire home the spot-kick in his usual unflappable manner and the points were secured.

Burton had the better of the opening exchanges without causing Wayne Brown in the Hereford goal too much bother.

The 'keeper was able to watch long-range efforts from Lee Bell and Jon Shaw flash past the goal, while Shaun Harrad, an early substitute for Dale Anderson, squandered a good chance after Bell had opened up the Hereford defence.

But the Bulls hit back with a classic counter-attacking goal to take the lead on 23 minutes.

Tamika Mkandawire's long ball out of defence was aimed at Matt Bailey and, while the tall striker failed to get a touch, he caused sufficient distraction to allow Carey-Bertram to nip in.

He sped clear of the visiting defence and lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Saul Deeney.

The 'keeper then saved spectacularly from Craig Stanley and saw a Mkandawire header booted off the line by Shaw as Hereford pressed forward in a bid to extend their lead.

Mkandawire headed an Alex Jeannin corner wide at the start of the second period but instead of being a prelude to further Hereford domination, Burton struck back with a good spell of their own.

Brown gathered a shot from Chris Hall and a long-range lob by Andy Ducros before Shaw sent a header inches wide from a Ducros cross.

The Bulls 'keeper then leapt spectacularly to catch a fine 20-yard strike from Hall.

The game changed back around again seven minutes from the end when Williams was felled by Stride to enable James to send Deeney the wrong way from the spot.

After that, although Brown produced another fine point-blank block to keep out a Shaw shot, Hereford held on in relative comfort.

HEREFORD: Brown, Green, Mkandawire, James, Jeannin, Brady, Ferrell, Stanley (Pitman 71), Purdie, Carey-Bertram (Williams 81), Bailey. Subs not used: Mawson, Blewitt, Beckwith.

ATTENDANCE: 2,453.