A SOLITARY Josh Gowling goal was enough for Hereford to beat a stubborn Guiseley outfit 1-0 today.
Gowling was on hand to bundle home a Danny Greenslade free kick in the 79th minute to move the Bulls 12 points clear of the bottom three.
Hereford manager Marc Richards made three changes from the team that beat Darlington two weeks ago, with Jak Hickman, James Wesolowski and Kyle Finn all starting. But neither team could create much in terms of goalscoring opportunities in a lacklustre opening half.
Eliot Richards saw a weak shot comfortably saved by Guiseley keeper Marcus Dewhurst, while at the other end, Lewis Archer headed over a corner on the stroke of half time.
Hickman looked lively on his Bulls debut and made a couple of decent deliveries, but Guiseley were able to nullify a poor home attack.
Lance Smith replaced James Wesolowski 11 minutes after the break as Bulls boss Richards looked to add more potency to side.
And Smith had an immediate impact, setting up Mike Symons with a chance at goal two minutes later. However, Symons' goal-bound effort was saved by Dewhurst's feet.
James Roberts then came on for Eliot Richards as Hereford looked to find the illusive goal.
And the breakthrough duly arrived in the 79th minute thanks to Gowling's predatory instincts.
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That woke Guiseley up and they nearly snatched an unlikely equaliser on two occasions. First, Andrew Halls headed over, while in stoppage time, Matt Yates did well to save from Scott Garner, with Greenslade thwarting Jack Dyche when the loose ball fell to him.
It was a crucial win for Hereford, who have now claimed 12 points from their past six games. They will therefore fancy giving a strong Brackley Town a game when the two sides meet at Edgar Street on Tuesday.
Bulls (4-2-3-1): Yates; Hickman, Cullinane-Liburd, Gowling (c), Greenslade; O'Sullivan, Wesolowski (Smith 56); Richards (Roberts 69), Owen-Evans, Finn (Ebbutt 90+6); Symons. Subs not used: Ezewele, Franklin.
Guiseley (4-4-2): Dewhurst; Moyo (Clayton 82), Garner (c), Langley, Cantrill; Felix, Halls, Barkers (James 59), Morrison (Purver 59); Dyche, Archer. Subs not used: Digie, Odejayi.
HT: 0-0
Goal: Gowling (Hereford) 79
Referee: Dean Watson.
Yellow cards: Hereford - Owen-Evans, 65; Guiseley - Halls 29, Cantrill 78.
Attendance: 2,261 (50 away fans).
Star man: Jak Hickman (Hereford).
Match rating: 2/5.
Next match: Brackley Town (h) Tuesday, March 26.