Derby, who play at a new £2million complex, led 16-15 at half-time, but Hereford gave an inspired second-half performance and finished strongly to record their fourth successive league victory.

The Wyesiders scored three tries through Peter Clarke, Sam Walker and Paul Beech, while full-back Colin Osborne kicked two conversions and four penalties.

Hereford took the field after a long journey and came under immediate pressure, conceding a penalty after two minutes. Former Nottingham fly-half Dave Fern missed his kick for the first and only time of the afternoon and then quickly got his name on the scoresheet.

He went over from a slick passing movement to score the first try Hereford had conceded in four games and then added the conversion.

Good combined play from Hereford then sent Ceiron Griffiths thundering through the centre and Peter Clarke was on hand to touch down under the posts for Osborne to convert.

Derby regained the lead with a Fern penalty after 20 minutes and he added two more before Osborne replied in like fashion after the home team number eight was sin-binned.

Hereford cut the deficit to one point with the try of the game just before half-time.

Hooker Shannon Dicke linked up well with the forwards and backs to send Sam Walker down the wing with three players to beat. The 20-year-old calmly chipped over the top and burst through to touch down in the corner.

Hereford pinned Derby back from the start of the second half and took the lead for the first time after 20 minutes from an Osborne penalty. Fern dropped a goal to edge Derby ahead again but Osborne put Hereford 24-22 in front after an exchange of penalties.

The visitors showed their superior skill, fitness and organisation in the last eight minutes which led to the score which finished off the game.

It came after solid work from the Hereford pack, including man-of-the-match Mark Morrison, when Fern - Derby's best player - tried a chip near his own line to break away. Fern's opposite number Beech was there to pounce, catching the ball and running in for a decisive try which Osborne converted.

Hereford held firm for the final two minutes to ensure a well deserved victory which left them a point ahead of Old Laurentians in the table, with Derby and Bedworth a further point adrift.