HEREFORD United extended their unbeaten home run to 10 matches with a scrappy win over local rivals Shrewsbury in League Two.

An early penalty by Ryan Valentine and a Gavin McCallum strike put the Bulls in control tonight.

But Wade Fairhurst pulled a goal back on the brink of half-time and Hereford were unable to kill the game off.

Despite playing against a blustery wind, the Bulls made a dream start.

Keith Lowe’s surge into the penalty area was halted by a foul from Kevin McIntyre and referee Graham Horwood pointed to the spot.

Valentine stepped up to send keeper Andreau Arestidou the wrong way from the penalty kick.

Hereford should have extended their lead two minutes later when Kenny Lunt was played in by McCallum but his low drive was easily smothered.

On 10 minutes, Shrewsbury were so nearly level when a free-kick by Jamie Devitt was deflected just wide of Adam Bartlett’s near post.

Bartlett then turned Dean Holden’s long-range effort wide.

The wind caused Hereford’s defence problems and Leon Constantine cleared a McIntyre corner off his own line.

But the hosts extended their lead on the half-hour mark when Constantine played in McCallum.

The young striker’s first effort was blocked by Arestidou but he followed up to slide his second league goal into the corner of the net.

In the last minute of the first period, a tremendous scramble in the Hereford six-yard box from McIntyre’s corner saw Fairhurst pull a goal back.

Hereford almost added a third in the second period when Lunt’s corner was finger-tipped away from under the bar by Arestidou.

Arestidou fielded a powerful effort from Valentine as Hereford continued to push forward.

Six minutes from time, they wasted a great chance to extend the lead when Lowe directed a header wide.

At the other end, Lunt cleared a ferocious effort from Omer Riza off the line.

But, despite five minutes of stoppage time, Hereford held on.

Hereford: Bartlett; Green, Jones, Blanchett; Lowe, Gwynne, Lunt, Valentine; King; Constantine, McCallum (Manset 90). Subs not used: Adamson, Rose, Dennehy, Done, Pugh, Sonko.

Attendance: 2,913.