Hereford United moved up to second in the table with a narrow win over their play-off rivals Halifax Town. Adam Stansfield was on hand to score the only goal of the game with twelve minutes remaining, latching on to a Craig Stanley backheel.
The Bulls made five changes from their FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Grays, Craig Mawson was replaced by Wayne Brown in between the sticks. Dean Beckwith returned for Tony James, Ryan Green came in at right back with Simon Travis moving to the bench. Rob Purdie failed to make the bench after he went down with a stomach bug, Andy Ferrell came in instead. Adam Stansfield was the final change made, coming in for Daryl Taylor who dropped to the bench, Andy Williams started on right midfield. John Grant returned to Edgar Street up top for Halifax.
Early on in the game, Halifax had an early chance to go in front after Matt Doughty shot from 25 yards forcing Brown into an early save. Hereford put on the pressure but failed to create any chances, until Stuart Fleetwood crossed in and Beckwith's volley was blocked. Alex Jeannin nearly opened the scoring when his free-kick took a deflection, but former Accrington Stanley shot stopper Jon Kennedy dived to his right and parried away for a corner.
Ferrell's persistance created a chance for Williams to cross in, Tamika Mkandawire met it with a side foot volley which went wide. The talking point of the first half came when Hereford had a strong appeal for a penalty, Fleetwood got into the box and tried to flick past the defender, the ball appeared to strike an arm but the ref and linesman waved play on. At the other end, Grant's run created an opening for Danny Forrest but his low drive was comfortably saved by Brown.
The second half started slowly for both sides. Halifax bought on Ryan Sugden for Brenton Leister. Grant hit a snapshot for the away side from around 30 yards but it was nearer the corner flag then it was to Brown's goal. Stansfield's run then created an opening for Nicky Nicolau, he took on the last defender but his final shot was weak and Kennedy saved. Steve Yates then came on for Greg Young as it seemed that Halifax were happy enough with a point.
Stansfield was once again involved as his dummy left Ferrell with a good shooting opportunity but he shot wildly over. Ferrell then shot over with his right foot after Stansfield once again found him. Williams, who tired towards the end of the game, crossed in for Stansfield but his header was weak and straight at Kennedy. Beckwith burst out of defence and sent a long ball over the top, Stansfield once again was involved firing a low cross which Williams met, firing straight at the Kennedy's legs.
Unsurprisingly it was Stansfield who finally broke the deadlock with 78 minutes played. Stanley battled away to win the ball from a poor Doughty pass, and the ball fell to Fleetwood who crossed into the box. It looked as though it was an easy take for Kennedy but he spilt leaving Stanley, who had carried on with his run to collect, to direct a cheeky back-heel into the box and Stansfield was there to score his eighth of the season.
Halifax offered little threat when looking for the equaliser, Sugden's turn and shot was easily held by Brown. Taylor, who looked lively after replacing Nicolau, went on a mazy run before firing over from thirty yards. Simon Travis replaced Fleetwood, with Williams moving up front and Craig Midgley took the place of Halifax skipper Martin Foster.
Taylor once again ran down the left side leaving defenders behind with his pace before sending Stansfield through but his shot from a tight angle went narrowly wide of the far post. In stoppage time, Hereford had more chances to get a second, Green sent a long ball over the Halifax defence and Williams ran onto it before shooting low into the side netting. Stanley then found Travis on the burst into the box but the sub's drive was blocked.
It was a thoroughly entertaining game at Edgar Street this afternoon with Hereford deserving the three points. Halifax played their part in the game, with some neat attacking football but The Bulls had the edge in the end. Everyone in the side played their part in a decent team effort, with man of the match Jeannin just one player who stood out in front of a crowd of 2555 with 121 fans making the journey from Halifax.
HUFC: Brown, Green, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Williams, Ferrell, Stanley, Nicolau, Fleetwood, Stansfield.
Subs: Mawson, Gwynne, Carey-Bertram, Travis, Taylor.
Halifax: Kennedy, Haslam, Quinn, Young , Doughty, Leister, Thompson, Foster, Killeen, Forrest, Grant.
Subs: Bushell, Bowler, Yates, Sugden, Midgley.