ANDY Williams’ strike on the hour brought Hereford a welcome win tonight and lifted the Bulls off the foot of the League One table.

Hereford boss Graham Turner named an unchanged team following Saturday’s goalless draw at Brighton.

Carlisle applied early pressure and leading scorer Danny Graham found some space in the penalty area but Hereford keeper Darren Randolph raced off his line to block.

To underline his threat, Graham blasted wide from the edge of the area soon after.

The Bulls took time to threaten, while Danny Carlton and Graham Kavanagh both shot wide from the edge of the area at the other end before the visitors had another good chance on the half-hour.

Carlton raced past Randolph but his angled shot was cleared off the line by skipper Karl Broadhurst.

Clint Easton shot high over for Hereford following a swift break before another good Broadhurst challenge denied Carlton.

Four minutes before the interval, Carlisle keeper Ben Alnwick had to make his first real save, diving to push away Williams’ 30-yard drive.

Hereford showed much more urgency at the start of the second period.

Richard Rose headed over from an Easton corner and Bruno N’Gotty surged forward before firing in a low drive which was comfortably held by Alnwick.

Another powerful N’Gotty run forced the corner which brought the opening goal.

Easton’s flag-kick was headed out as far as Williams who cracked in a right-footed drive from 15 yards.

Shortly afterwards, good work by Sam Gwynne set up another chance for Williams whose low effort was blocked by Alnwick’s feet.

After 77 minutes, Carlisle were reduced to 10 men when defender Graham Keogh was dismissed for swinging an elbow at Steve Guinan.

Hereford tried hard to maintain their grip but survived one anxious moment when Scott Dobie’s shot deflected through to Randolph.

Jennison Myrie-Williams blasted a late shot into the side-netting from the edge of the area.

Hereford: Randolph; Jackson, Broadhurst, N’Gotty, Rose; Gwynne, Taylor, Diagouraga, Easton; Williams (Hudson-Odoi 90), Guinan. Subs not used: Samson, Beckwith, Smith, Chadwick.

Attendance: 2,300 (174 from Carlisle).