LOAN acquisitions Sherjill MacDonald and Gary Hooper breathed new life into the Bulls' promotion campaign as they contributed three goals against Hereford's old Conference rivals at Edgar Street.

But, as well as the speedy strike pair played, the star of the show for the Bulls was another pacy player, midfielder Simon Johnson, who was at the heart of all that was best in the United performance.

Dagenham had a great chance to take the lead with only eight minutes played.

Ben Strevens got away on the right and dragged a cross into the six-yard box but Shabazz Baidoo missed his kick altogether when a goal looked certain.

The visitors were made to pay two minutes later when a clinical Hereford move sliced their defence apart.

Johnson won the ball and sent Hooper away on the right to cross for the unmarked MacDonald to open his Hereford account.

Hooper got his name on the scoresheet 11 minutes later, seizing on a hopelessly-miscued clearance by former Bulls loanee Anwar Uddin and rounding keeper Tony Roberts before sliding the ball home.

The Bulls strike partnership combined again shortly afterwards with Hooper's pass releasing MacDonald whose blistering drive was pushed away superbly by Roberts.

But Hereford eased off and Dagenham had the better of the next phase of play before pulling a goal back on 33 minutes.

John McCombe conceded a needless corner and Strevens rose high to head in Ryan Hall's cross.

But, on the stroke of half-time, Hereford extended their lead from the penalty spot when Sam Saunders handled a Richard Rose cross and Johnson rifled in the spot-kick.

Hereford had much the better of the action at the start of the second period as they sought to add to their advantage.

Toumani Diagouraga shot straight at Roberts from 20 yards and then Clint Easton volleyed high over from a Johnson cross.

Dagenham showed their teeth only occasionally but keeper Wayne Brown had to leave his line to produce a fine block when Jon Nurse got clear.

Hereford stormed back, however, and MacDonald notched his second midway through the half, leaping high to head in a Johnson cross.

Hooper then rattled the bar when he raced on to a MacDonald pass.

He was then out of luck when his point-blank shot hit Roberts after a neat Johnson cross.

Hereford continued to dominate and, late on, a superb chip by substitute Trevor Benjamin was brilliantly tipped over by Roberts.

Hereford: Brown; McClenahan, Beckwith (Collins, 87 min), McCombe, Rose; Johnson, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton; MacDonald (Benjamin, 84 min), Hooper (Palmer, 84 min). Subs not used: Ingham, Taylor.

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire).

Attendance: 2,594 (81 from Dagenham).