TOWN boss Alan Buckley decided to switch back to a 4-5-1 formation with Gary Jones moving to the bench.

Nick Fenton passed a fitness test and took his place at the heart of the Town defence.

It was a first half of very few chances but the home side could have taken the lead as early as the 4th minute. Barnes miscalculated a cross but Connell took too long and the Town defence got the ball away.

On 12 minutes Tom Newey saw his speculative effort from range scrape the crossbar, after some good work down the left-hand side.

From a Town corner Fenton got up above everyone to head the ball goal-wards but the Bull's keeper pulled off a good save.

And Boshell stung the keeper's hands minutes later.

Just before the break Bore put Danny North in on goal but the linesman flag pulled the youngster back for an offside decision.

Half-Time: Hereford 0 Town 0

Just five minutes into the second half the home side had a chance to break the deadlock. Purdie's dangerous cross was looking for Guinan but Fenton was there to clear for a corner.

Nick Fenton, who was a doubt before the game with achilles injury was substituted on 65 minutes, Simon Grand replacing the big defender in the Town defence.

On 69 minutes Hereford looked dangerous again as Guinan got away from Grand but Whittle was on hand to tidy up.

Gary Jones came on as a straight swap for Danny North, and Peter Till took over from Peter Bore on the right side.

And it was Jones and Till who combined well to set up Paul Bolland to score on 76 minutes, as the midfielder's thunderous shot flew past Brown into the top corner of the net.

Despite plenty of possession for both sides, chances were few and far between in a tight game.

With 10 minutes remaining and Town having made all their substitutions, there was a scare for Town when Peter Till went down in a heap and had the leave the field. Thankfully the former Birmingham winger returned a few minutes later.

The Mariners fought hard for another three points, three points that surely secures Town's league status?