TWO goals from Steve Guinan and another from Ben Smith brought Hereford an important three points at the top of the Coca-Cola League Two table.

Hereford were on the attack from the start and forced a corner with just 17 seconds played.

Although that came to nothing, the Bulls fans only had to wait until the 13th minute for the first goal.

Toumani Diagouraga's long pass out of defence sent Smith racing away and the midfielder cut inside to unleash a powerful drive which took a deflection on its way past keeper Kevin Pilkington.

Lionel Ainsworth's centre flashed across the six-yard box with no-one able to get a touch two minutes later.

But, with Hereford continuing to dominate play, the second goal was not far away.

On 25 minutes, former Nottingham Forest striker Guinan sent Theo Robinson away on the right and then raced into the middle to head home his strike partmer's inch-perfect cross.

Hereford eased up for a while and the home side began to try to get themselves back into the game.

County had the ball in the net on 31 minutes when Adam Tann headed in a Paul Mayo corner only for the crowd's cheers to turn to jeers as the strike was ruled out for pushing.

The expected home cavalry charge came at the start of the second-half and Bulls keeper Wayne Brown pulled off a fine save to deny Neil Mackenzie in the 48th minute.

Ex-Kidderminster midfielder Mackenzie was involved when County did reduce arrears on 63 minutes with his free-kick deflected to Gary Silk who crashed the ball in from close range.

Hereford then repelled some heavy pressure before Guinan raced on to a Diagouraga pass and advanced before firing past Pilkington to restore the two-goal lead.

County, however, were far from finished and Hector Sam pulled a goal back once again five minutes later. County pressed strongly but the Bulls held on for their fourth away league win of the season.

They are third in the table, level on points with Chesterfield above them and only two away from leaders Milton Keynes Dons.

Milton Keynes won 2-1 at struggling Mansfield Town last night, while Chesterfield hammered Wrexham 4-0.

Fourth-placed Chester City won 2-1 at Grimsby Town who beat Hereford on Saturday.

Hereford: Brown; McClenahan, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Taylor; Ainsworth (Webb 82), Smith, Diagouraga, Easton; Guinan, Robinson. Subs not used: Ingham, McCombe, Rose, Benjamin.

Notts County: Pilkington; Canoville (Silk 57), Tann, Hunt, Mayo; Parkinson (Sam 62), Mackenzie, Somner, Butcher; Lee (Weir-Daley 54), Dudfield. Subs not used: Sandercombe, McCann.

Attendance: 3,576 (306 from Hereford).