Steve Soley and Peter Thomson scored to maintain Southport's promotion challenge at Edgar Street.

The hosts created an opportunity after 15 minutes but Paul Parry's header from Matthew Clarke's cross was saved by Kevin Welsby.

Michael Galloway, who extended his loan spell with the Bulls earlier this week, then drilled a left-foot shot wide from 25 yards before Chukkie Eribenne hit the woodwork for Hereford with a right-foot shot after 29 minutes.

Parry went close twice in quick succession as Southport continued to be put under pressure and Chris Lane was booked for a foul on Michael Rose after 35 minutes.

Eribenne and Ian Wright both threatened again for Hereford before Welsby saved Parry's right-foot shot from the edge of the area.

The second period began in similar fashion, with Hereford dominating, and Eribenne had a curling right-foot shot saved by Welsby after 48 minutes.

However, completely against the run of play, Southport went ahead through Steve Soley a minute later when he prodded the ball home following a corner.

Parry went close again for the hosts just after the hour before Andrew Tretton blasted the ball over from close range.

Thomson finished matters with a low right-foot finish in stoppage time.

Hereford: Baker, Wright, James, Tretton, Clarke, Williams, Galloway, Parry, Rose, Guinan, Eribenne. Subs: Sawyers, Griffiths, Purdey, Teesdale, Smith.

Southport: Welsby, Winstanley, Clark, Barry Jones, Lane, Pickford, Soley, Gibson, Howell, Whitehall, Thomson. Subs: Sullivan, Lloyd-Williams, James Connolly, Scott, Dickinson.

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands)