Hereford condemned new Darlington boss Simon Davey to his first defeat, as Marc Pugh's late goal earned a 1-0 victory at Darlington Arena.

Mathieu Manset flashed a shot across the goal as Hereford made all the early running and the Frenchman had two more chances in a goalless first half.

Midfielder Kenny Lunt curled the ball wide in the 21st minute and a minute later Jake Jervis brought another save out of goalkeeper Shane Redmond.

Darlington rallied briefly after the break, with Josh Gray firing against a post and then Tadgh Purcell heading narrowly over the bar.

But the winner came in the 74th minute when Pugh burst into the area before firing low into the net.