Hereford ended a run of five straight defeats with a 2-1 away win over slumping Carlisle United.
Guinan and Smith net at Bulls triumph
Hereford ended a run of five straight defeats as first-half goals from Steve Guinan and Ben Smith saw off sinking Carlisle 2-1.
The Cumbrians pulled one back through Michael Bridges before half-time but could not improve on a dismal run of seven home games without a win which has left them too close to the relegation places for comfort.
Hereford stunned the home side in the seventh minute when Guinan took advantage of a defensive block to fire a 15-yard shot past a helpless Ben Williams from the right-hand side of the penalty area.
The goal drew a quick reaction from Carlisle with Gareth Taylor flicking a shot off the bar, before Danny Graham mis-kicked six yards out. Bridges was guilty of an even more glaring miss when he spooned the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy after Lewis Neal's swerving run prised open the Hereford defence.
Close-range effort
The Bulls grabbed their second in the 24th minute. This time Guinan the provider with a low cross enabling Smith to slide the ball home from close range. Carlisle continued to look frustrated until on the stroke of half-time Bridges gave them a glimmer of hope with a scorching 25-yarder.
Graham Kavanagh was unlucky to see his shot bounce back off the post as Carlisle piled on the pressure after half-time, while Williams denied Febian Brandy after a Hereford breakaway but substitute Scott Dobie wasted another clear-cut chance for Carlisle in the closing minutes heading wide from just five yards.
