A last-gasp strike from Jay Lovett kept alive Hereford's play-off chances as they beat a spirited Nuneaton side 2-1 at home.

The game looked as if it was heading for a draw until Lovett's 30-yard effort found the back of the net.

Nuneaton started brightly with Carl Alford forcing a fingertip save from Matthew Baker three minutes into the game and five minutes later John Turner tested the Hereford goalkeeper.

The first half was a story of missed chances for both sides, each guilty of missing decent opportunities.

But it took Hereford just two minutes of the second half to break the deadlock when John Grant headed home Robert Purdey's cross from six yards.

Nuneaton levelled thanks to a 75th-minute penalty from Alford after Tony James had been adjudged to have fouled the striker.

Hereford responded, stepped up the pace of the game and continued to push forward with John Grant going close.

The visitors almost snatched three points when Mark McGregor's 25-yard shot was blocked by Ian Wright, but it was Hereford who did it with Lovett's effort.

Hereford: Baker, Lovett, Wright, James, Rose, Pitman, Smith, Purdey, Parry, Grant, Guinan. Subs: Husbands, Griffiths, Tretton, Teesdale, Sawyers.

Nuneaton: MacKenzie, Barry Williams, Dyson, Thackeray, Turner, Doyle, Paschalis, Peake, Love, Alford, Quayle. Subs: Cooper, Daniel Williams, Browne, McGregor, Wheeler.

Referee: Lee Probert (Bristol)