HEREFORD FC survived a second-half onslaught from Evesham United to record a 2-1 victory and maintain their 13-point lead at the top of Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

The match was played in front of a record league crowd for Hereford FC at Edgar Street with 4,406 present, including 340 from Evesham.

The Robins gave too much respect to their table-topping opposition in the first half and shipped two soft goals.

After a good start by the visitors in the first quarter-of-an-hour, Hereford made the breakthrough.

John Mills finished well after Evesham keeper Kevin Sawyer spilled Jimmy Oates’s shot.

The Bulls finally made their pressure tell again as they made it 2-0 in the 35th minute.

Former Worcester City forward Mike Symons capitalised on a mistake in midfield to finish well into the top corner.

Evesham came out much the better side in the second half.

Adam Mann saw a cross-shot hit the bar as Paul Collicutt’s men continued to dominate the second half while the Bulls defence looked shaky.

The visitors deservedly clawed themselves back into the game in the 73rd minute with a stunning goal from Linden Dovey.

The Evesham defender beat three defenders with a mazy run from halfway before firing past keeper Alex Harris with a composed finish into the bottom-right corner.

Despite an impressive second half from Evesham, Hereford held on for the three points.