HEREFORD United triumphed over adversity in more ways than one to produce their best Conference result of the season and strengthen their push for promotion.

After falling behind with just four minutes played, the Bulls struck back to lead, only to suffer the shock of a straight red card for Guy Ipoua a minute before the break.

The Cameroonian was deemed guilty of an obscene gesture to a linesman in the after-goal celebrations following Alex Jeannin's strike, although he appeared simply to be pointing to the Bulls badge on Jeannin's shirt.

But moves were swiftly afoot after the game to get the card over-turned so Ipoua would be available for today's return clash with Forest Green Rovers.

Ipoua had levelled the scores for Hereford and Jeannin, on his 28th birthday and returning to his former club, cracked what turned out to be the winner, just before the sending-off.

The Grecians were in the lead after four minutes when Dean Beckwith was caught in several minds about how best to make a clearance.

In the end, the defender, whose shaky start could, to some extent, be put down to the after-effects of a stomach bug over the holiday period, allowed the ball to bounce and Lee Phillips nipped in to drive a low shot past Wayne Brown.

Jeannin almost presented the home side with a second goal in the 23rd minute with another defensive blunder. The Frenchman's headed clearance went straight up into the air and skipper Glenn Cronin drove a shot against the bar.

Six minutes later, and much to everyone's surprise considering their sluggish start, Hereford were back on level terms.

Ipoua twisted and turned before driving in a shot from 20 yards which goalkeeper Paul Jones got a hand to but was unable to keep out.

Jones almost presented the Bulls with a second goal seven minutes later when Ipoua picked up his bad clearance but curled a 25-yarder inches wide.

On 41 minutes, however, Hereford took the lead with another spectacular shot from Jeannin.

The Frenchman took a short pass from Jamie Pitman's free-kick to curl a shot from 20 yards into the corner of the net.

But in the celebrations which followed, Ipoua was sent off by referee Nick Kinseley.

After the break, Hereford might have expected heavy pressure from their numerically superior opponents. But instead the Bulls often looked the more likely scorers with crisp, counter-attacking raids.

Adam Stansfield seized on to a good pass from Pitman but screwed his shot past the far post.

Stansfield then raced clear after a neat one-two with Andy Williams but saw his shot blocked by goalkeeper Jones who later produced another excellent block from Danny Carey-Bertram.

Exeter rarely found a way through the excellent Hereford defence with their only serious opening a late header from Dan Woodards which crept just wide.

HEREFORD: Brown, Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith (Blewitt 71), Jeannin, Williams, Pitman, Stanley, Purdie, Stansfield (Carey-Bertram 82), Ipoua. Subs not used: Mawson, Brady, Evans.

ATTENDANCE: 4,433.