HEREFORD United’s fine four-match winning run came to an end against relegation rivals Lincoln.

The visitors moved further away from League Two danger thanks to Delroy Facey’s goal which extended their own winning run to five matches and completed a double over the Bulls.

Hereford made just one change following their 3-1 win at Torquay with Joe Heath returning at left-back.

This pushed Rob Purdie up into midfield with Kenny Lunt dropping to the bench.

Lincoln included former Bull Gavin McCallum and the Canada international had goalkeeper Adam Bartlett scrambling across his goal with a flick which dropped narrowly wide.

The Imps, making good use of the strong breeze, dominated territorially during the first 15 minutes.

But Hereford gradually found their tempo and Purdie picked out Joe Colbeck with an excellent pass only for the winger to require one too many touches and lose control.

Stuart Fleetwood forced a corner on 21 minutes and former Imp Janos Kovacs headed on to the roof of the net from James McQuilkin’s cross.

Lincoln took the lead on 28 minutes with a well-worked goal.

Ashley Grimes headed the ball down to Facey who lashed a shot beyond Bartlett from the edge of the area.

Hereford moved back on to the attack and a Fleetwood header deflected behind for a corner.

But, as Lincoln broke away when Heath lost the ball, only an excellent challenge from Ryan Green prevented McCallum from doubling the advantage.

After a dull opening to the second period, Hereford finally created a chance out of nothing.

Fleetwood won the ball on the left of the area and raced goalwards. The striker pulled the ball back for Jake Jervis but he was too slow to get in a shot.

The ball broke to Colbeck whose goalbound header was blocked, possibly by a Lincoln hand.

Hereford had a second penalty claim turned down when Fleetwood went to ground under a challenge.

The Imps defenders protested furiously that Fleetwood should have been booked for diving.

Sean Canham, who had replaced the ineffectual Jervis, then fired wide from the edge of the area.

Most of the action was now taking place in the Lincoln half, but Hereford were unable to find the key ball into the area.

Lincoln attacks were rare but McCallum did get free on the left to deliver a cross which Facey was unable to convert.

Substitute Harry Pell showed some neat touches in midfield after replacing McQuilkin but his shooting was no better than the rest of his team-mates.

As time ran out, Hereford continued to push forward but to no avail.

Hereford: Bartlett, Green, Kovacs, Townsend, Heath, Colbeck, McQuilkin (Pell 72), Rose, Purdie (Lunt 85), Jervis (Canham 58), Fleetwood. Subs not used: Heister, Preston, Featherstone, Baheng.

Referee: Bobby Madley (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 2,776.