Ainsworth opened the scoring when he skipped past a couple of defenders and chipped in from just outside the box.

He then headed home a Theo Robinson cross but an Anthony Elding penalty pulled one back for County.

Ainsworth coolly took his third and, despite Hereford keeper Wayne Brown punching into his own net late on, the visitors held on for the win.

Stockport: Logan, Bowler (Tansey 75), Raynes, McNeil, Rose, Elding, Taylor, Nowland, Griffin (Rowe 72), Dickinson, Proudlock (Poole 72).
Subs Not Used: Tunnicliffe, Turnbull.

Goals: Elding 61 pen, Brown 83 og.

Hereford: Brown, Collins, Rose, McCombe, Threlfall, Ainsworth, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Benjamin (Guinan 79), Robinson (Webb 84).
Subs Not Used: Ingham, Taylor, Beckwith.

Goals: Ainsworth 37, 54, 70.

Att: 5,103

Ref: David Foster (Tyne & Wear).