HEREFORD manager Pete Beadle was delighted with this afternoon's 2-0 win over Shortwood United.

The win - courtesy of goals from Jamie Molyneux and John Mills - has taken the Bulls 10 points clear at the top of Southern Football League Division One South & West.

"Whenever we've had a challenge put in front of us, we seem to raise our game and, especially in the second half, we raised the tempo again," said Beadle.

"It says the way we played when they get their first shot on target in the 92nd minute.

"I'm delighted with the team, the performance was solid, comfortable and professional.

"We had so many chances to finish the game off and you keep thinking 'is it going to be one of those games again' but the boys were superb."

Shortwood goalkeeper Tom King kept his side in the game with a number of fine saves.

"I think that was the first game he played this year, so he's come in and done them a favour and I'm sure they'll go away thinking they've given us a game," added Beadle.

"They're not bad and I'm sure when they go back to full strength, they will be a force to be reckoned with."

Beadle brought Molyneux on at half-time in place of Tristan Plummer and the former Westfields player repaid his manager's faith by firing in the opening goal in the 56th minute.

"Players haven't got a god-given right to play in this team," said Beadle.

"We want an end product from everybody.

"It's going to be perfect every game, we know that.

"Tristan didn't quite get going today but it's no big issue, I've got no problem with him.

"He's done great, but it just wasn't his day.

"We thought we'd change it early and give Jamie a change to get his legs going and he took his opportunity.

"Sometimes we have a tendency to wait for someone else to do something, but in the second half we weren't like that.

"We had purpose in our play and Jamie got us off early doors, which gave the crowd a lift."

Beadle was also pleased with the clean sheet and is delighted with how quickly new recruits Mark Preece and Clayton Fortune have settled into the side.

"I thought the whole back four were fantastic," said Beadle.

"They bring much experience alongside Ryan [Green] and it gives Ryan a little bit of rest because I felt he had a lot of burden on his shoulders.

"But with those two coming in, it gets a little bit of pressure off him because he doesn't need to be the main man.

"I thought Clayton especially had a solid game and the pair distributed the ball well.

"We're delighted they've settled in well and they're thoroughly enjoying being here."

Hereford now go to struggling Bridgwater Town next week.

"Everyone's going to say it's a guaranteed three points, but it never is unless we go there with the right attitude and mentality," added Beadle.

"We can make any game we want as easy as we want for ourselves, but we've made it a little bit difficult for ourselves lately."