A brace from Harrison Iwunze proved the difference as Jason Ainsley’s first game in interim charge ended in defeat at Edgar Street.
Iwunze thumped home in the first half, before a well worked goal from Danny Johnson levelled things up with less than 20 minutes to go. A 76th minute dagger from Iwunze put the hosts back in front and sealed the three points.
Moors started the game positively, carving out the first half chance 10 minutes in. A good ball to the edge of the box found Glen Taylor, who saw a scuffed effort go wide of the mark.
The hosts went close soon after through Luke Spokes’s curling free-kick, which flew narrowly over the crossbar from 25-or-so-yards out.
Newly-signed loan ‘keeper, Jake Oram was forced to produce a brilliant save with 19 minutes on the clock, as he got down well to his left to deny Iwunze’s downwards header from close range.
Hereford’s pressure paid off just 2 minutes later, as Iwunze got the better of Oram and found the net. A loose ball from Dan Jones was picked up by Spokes, who slipped Iwunze in behind with a well timed through ball. The number 19 smashed an effort on goal, which soared over the out-coming Oram and into the roof of the net.
Moors looked to respond quickly through Richie Bennet, as he looked to catch goalkeeper Theo Richardson off his line from distance. The forward’s effort, however, went over the bar.
Richardson was on hand to deny Jones’ back post header following an in-swinging corner from Matty Dolan, before doing well to dive to his left to stop Taylor’s curling effort soon after.
Moors’ best chance of the game so far came with a minute of the first half remaining. An inviting ball into the back post from Cam Salkeld found Taylor, who nodded an effort on goal that looked destined to find the back of the net, only for Richardson to get across and brilliantly parry the effort wide.
Aaron Downes’ men started the second half well, with Harry Trustin and Billy Phillips causing problems for the Moors defence. Trustin saw his effort deflected over the bar, before Phillips’ strike from an awkward angle went just wide.
Substitute, Cawley Cox went close to doubling the lead just shy of the hour mark with a well hit strike from the left hand corner of the penalty area, but saw it drop just wide of the mark.
Oram was once again on hand to deny Hereford advances, this time from Preston Bitemo, who’s powerful shot from close range forced the loanee goalkeeper into a fine block.
The Bulls continued to put pressure on the Moors defence, as the goalscorer, Iwunze spun into space before firing an effort towards Oram’s near post, which he did well to turn around the woodwork and behind for a corner.
Moors found themselves level against the run of play with 72 minutes in the clock, as two substitutes combined to find the net. A good move down the left saw Junior Mondal flash a ball into the penalty area which found Johnson, who slid in to prod the ball home past Richardson.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to get back in front, however, as Iwunze doubled up just 5 minutes 4. The ball found the number 19 in the area, who broke away from challenges before finding the bottom right corner with a tidy finish.
Jason Ainsley’s side won a free-kick deep into stoppage time, which was cleared and counter attacked by Hereford. However, Oram was on hand to deny the attack of a third goal.
Full time: Hereford 2 Moors 1
Moors: Oram, Salkeld, Pollock, Dolan, Jones, Murray, Jenkins (Dawson 83), Young (Mondal 46), Cantrill, Bennett, Taylor (Johnson 65)
Subs not used: Jamees, Beals, Miller, Raine
Booked: Bennett 11, Cantrill 49, Salkeld 57, Murray 66
Referee: Darren Rogers
Attendance: 3223 (22 Away)
Written by Noah Betts