HEREFORD made an excellent return to League football at Edgeley Park but had the edge taken off their 2-0 victory at Stockport with injuries to two key players, writes Richard Prime.

Dean Beckwith had to leave the field with a head injury and must be a doubt for tomorrow's home match with Lincoln City.

And goalkeeper Wayne Brown faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a groin injury which forced him off after 71 minutes.

Hereford are likely now to have to move into the loan market with Glyn Thompson still sidelined with a thigh injury and only the inexperienced Paul Harrison, who deputised for Brown for the last 19 minutes, available.

But the injuries should not overshadow a winning performance which showed all the resilience built up over the last few seasons.

Hereford struggled in the opening stages and were fortunate not to fall behind after nine minutes.

A free-kick from former Bull Michael Rose -- later to be named the home side's man of the match -- smashed against an upright before being cleared.

Andy Williams then had to boot a Michael Raynes shot off the line and Brown pulled off a spectacular reaction save to touch over a shot from Glenn Murray.

Hereford, with their midfield struggling to overcome the influence of Stockport's experienced playmaker Tony Dinning, showed little in the first 20 minutes apart from a Beckwith header which required a flying save from the home side's James Spencer.

But the Bulls were undeterred and on 36 minutes a flick by Tim Sills set Stuart Fleetwood away and the former Cardiff City striker held off the attentions of three defenders before sliding a shot past Spencer.

A couple of shots from midfielder Rob Purdie went narrowly wide as United began the second period in more promising fashion.

And Bulls' club captain had a major role in United's second on 59 minutes when his perfectly-placed corner kick was bulleted home by the skipper Tamika Mkandawire.

Brown produced a clutch of fine saves from Murray, Rose and Gareth Owen as Stockport continued to pile on the pressure.

But Hereford had their chances as well with Simon Travis and Sills, twice, failing with good chances to extend the winning margin.

Former Liverpool youngster Harrison was kept on his toes after replacing Brown.

But he produced a good save from Adam Le Fondre and handled the ball confidently as Hereford held on for a winning start.

Hereford: Brown (Harrison 71), Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith (Gulliver 29), Rose, Williams, Ferrell, Purdie, Sheldon (Giles 71), Sills, Fleetwood. Subs not used: Wallis, Connell.

Stockport: Spencer, Williams, Raynes (Dickinson 81), Owen, Rose, Briggs, Dinning, Taylor (Allen 51), Malcolm, Le Fondre, Murray. Subs not used: Deasy, Robinson, Clare.

Attendance: 5,297.