HEREFORD finally won back-to-back Conference matches for the first time this season to move into closer order at the top of the table.

In a match which director of football Graham Turner aptly described as 'a game of two halves', the Bulls dominated the first period before showing their defensive qualities to the full after the break as Dagenham pressed strongly in search of an equaliser.

Hereford's goal hero was again teenager Andy Williams who bagged the decisive strike after 11 minutes.

The 19-year-old must be thinking that life in the Conference is easy after netting on his first two Conference starts.

Last week, on his full debut, he fired home the first Hereford goal against Woking and at Victoria Road he was on hand to slam the ball into the net after Guy Ipoua's header was superbly palmed away by Tony Roberts in the home goal.

Williams made a bit of a meal of the chance on this occasion, though, blasting the ball against an upright before, with some relief, he found the ball at his feet again to drive home.

Six minutes later, though, Williams, who had a fine first-half, was unlucky not to add to his tally, forcing a save at the expense of a corner from Roberts with a low shot from the edge of the area.

He then showed good touch in a neat one-two with Purdie which saw the midfielder in a good position to add to his two goals from the previous week against Woking.

But this time, his low drive was weakly hit and comfortably saved by Roberts.

Jon Brady also had a good chance to extend the lead on 39 minutes when he received a deep cross from Alex Jeannin at the far post.

Brady, however, made a hash of the effort and screwed his volley high and wide.

After the break, Dagenham made a concerted effort to level but Hereford came close to putting the game beyond doubt after 54 minutes.

Purdie broke speedily down the left before slipping the ball to Jamie Pitman. The midfielder side-stepped a defender and drove his shot across Roberts, only to see the ball hit the far post and rebound to safety.

Dagenham's direct style of play ensured that the Hereford defence came under frequent pressure but Tony James and Tamika Mkandawire kept the dangerous Paul Benson largely under control while Alex Jeannin dealt well with the pacy threat of Craig Mackail-Smith on the flank.

Craig Mawson was generally underemployed and had few real saves to make, the best coming from an angled drive from Mackail-Smith in the 79th minute when the lively forward finally got freeof the United defence.

Even with four minutes of injury time, Hereford comfortably held on to register their second success in six visits to the Glyn Hopkin stadium.

HEREFORD: Mawson, Green, Mkandawire, James, Jeannin, Brady (Beckwith 84), Stanley, Pitman, Purdie, Ipoua, Williams (Carey-Bertram 74). Subs not used: Lewis, Ferrell, Evans.

ATTENDANCE: 1,294.