Margate 1 Hereford 3

MARGATE slipped to their first home Nationwide Conference defeat in six matches as Hereford showed their promotion credentials at the Hoverspeed Stadium.

On an atrocious afternoon, the teams had to battle against rain and a swirling rain, but produced an entertaining contest before a crowd of 604.

Hereford went ahead just after the half hour as Scott Willis sent Rob Purdie clear and his cross was headed home at the far post by John Guinan.

Just before the break Margate's Rocky Baptiste rolled a shot just wide after a good one-two with Jean Michel Sigere and almost immediately Hereford doubled their lead as Willis shot past the unsighted Phil Smith from 20 yards.

Margate had plenty of the ball in the second half but struggled to create chances and Hereford's victory was sealed in the 85th minute when Guinan and David Brown combined to set up man of the match Purdie to sweep home.