HEREFORD United moved a huge step closer to their third successive Nationwide Conference play-off campaign thanks to Andy Williams' 40th-minute winner at the Pirelli Stadium.

Results elsewhere mean Hereford are now six points clear of third-placed Halifax and 13 ahead of Morecambe who are just outside the play-off positions in sixth place.

Stevenage's draw at Accrington also means that the gap on the leaders is now cut to 11 points, but with only eight games to play, the prospect of the Bulls landing top spot still looks remote.

After losing all their three Conference visits to Eton Park, Hereford's luck changed on their first trip to Burton's new headquarters at the Pirelli Stadium.

But while the magnificent new ground is something that the Brewers can justifiably be proud of, the pitch there remains something of a worry.

With sand all over it, the surface was somewhat reminiscent of -- as those with a long memory may recall -- neighbouring Derby County's Baseball Ground 30 years or so ago.

And it was the surface which played a part in Hereford's winner five minutes before the break.

Home goalkeeper Saul Deeney fumbled Williams' seemingly innocuous shot and the ball came back out to the young striker who rifled home his ninth Conference goal in 17 starts.

Williams' fellow 19-year-old and strike partner, Stuart Fleetwood, looked odds-on to open the scoring after 14 minutes when skipper Tamika Mkandawire headed down an Andy Ferrell free-kick.

But the striker, from inside the six-yard box, hooked the ball against the bar and it rebounded to safety.

Kris Taylor side-footed a good chance wide as Burton tried to hit back and Hereford, despite attractive approach play, were restricted to shooting from long-range with Andy Ferrell firing in two efforts.

One cleared the woodwork, while the other brought a good low save from Deeney.

After the break and with the wind behind them, Burton piled the pressure on but, despite their varying levels of experience and match fitness, the United rear-guard failed to buckle.

Mkandawire turned in another hugely impressive display, while Tony James, in only his second Conference start since November, gained in confidence as the match progressed.

Alex Jeannin gave his usual composed display while Rob Purdie, in an unfamiliar right-back role, did so well against the lively Keith Gilroy that the winger eventually switched to the right wing.

When Burton did find a way through, they found the excellent Wayne Brown again in top form.

The goalkeeper's best moment came on the hour when he flew across the goal to beat away Chris Hall's shot and followed this up seconds later by reacting quickly to grab Gilroy's free-kick.

Home skipper Darren Stride blazed a great chance over on 63 minutes but after that, although having much the better of the play, Burton were unable to find their way past Brown.

HEREFORD: Brown, Purdie, Mkandawire, James, Jeannin, King, Ferrell, Stanley, Nicolau (Pitman 85), Fleetwood (Carey-Bertram 81), Williams. Subs not used: Mawson, Beckwith, Gwynne.

ATTENDANCE: 2,512.