HEREFORD United have been thrown a lifeline after the Football Conference agreed to keep them in the competition, as long as they meet financial conditions.

The Football Conference board met today at Newport’s Celtic Manor with Hereford chairman David Keyte and Andrew Green, a previously unnamed director of the club.

The Bulls had faced expulsion after failing to meet yesterday's 5pm deadline to pay football creditors.

However, they have been given another chance to settle their bills, although the new deadline has not been made public.

The league’s annual general meeting takes place tomorrow.

A statement released by the Football Conference board said: “The board unanimously agreed that the club can retain membership of the Ltd Company and their place in the Football Conference Premier Division providing financial payments are secured as directed by the board.

“Failure to meet the financial conditions imposed, the club’s membership would be revoked.”