HEREFORD United became the first Conference side to come away from The Shay with a win this season as they moved into the FA Trophy's last 16.

Previously, the only side to have lowered the Shaymen's colours at home were Scunthorpe United in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Saturday's win provided some measure of revenge for Hereford's league defeat back in September.

On that occasion, ex-Bulls striker John Grant caused havoc but this time he was so well marshalled by Dean Beckwith and Tamika Mkandawire that he was substituted at the interval.

Hereford were particularly dominant in the first period when Jamie Pitman controlled the midfield with Adam Stansfield and Andy Williams providing a constant threat in attack.

It was Stansfield who, for the second consecutive week, made the all-important breakthrough.

Williams won the ball in midfield and sent Stansfield scurrying away down the left. Williams ran on to take the return pass and made space to fire in a shot which Adam Legzdins appeared to have comfortably covered.

But the goalkeeper, who starred for Alfreton against the Bulls in the FA Cup earlier in the season, spilled the ball at the feet of Stansfield who had little difficulty in slamming home his sixth goal in eight matches.

Martin Foster seized on a piece of poor control by Mkandawire to race into the Hereford area five minutes later but blasted his shot over from a good position.

After this, though, Hereford had much the better of the first period and on a number of occasions looked as if they would extend their lead.

Williams was, in particular, the dangerman as provider, sending in crosses from the flanks on a couple of occasions which the other Bulls forwards might have done better with.

Two substitutions at the break breathed life back into the home side who, according to statistics, are the best second-half side in the Conference.

Generally, however, Hereford remained in control defensively and were able to restrict the home side to shooting from long-range.

Their most dangerous moment came six minutes from time when a Lewis Killeen effort, which appeared to be heading for the net, was deflected wide for a corner.

By this stage, Halifax were down to 10 men after Peter Atherton limped off with an injury with all three home substitutes on the pitch.

He was joined on the sidelines by referee Anthony Taylor who hobbled out of the action with a knee injury two minutes from time.

Hereford: Mawson, Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Taylor (Carey-Bertram 75), Pitman, Ferrell, Purdie, Stansfield, Williams. Subs not used: Gwynne, Green, Evans.