Hereford failed to pull off a shock as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Edgar Street to promotion-chasing Notts County on Saturday.

A goal in each half from winger Craig Westcarr and central defender Mike Edwards clinched the Magpies victory.

Hereford should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel conceded a penalty for upending Marc Pugh in front of goal. However, Schmeichel made amends when he flew across the goalmouth to stop Ryan Valentine's spot-kick at the foot of the post.

The Magpies responded to take the lead in the 31st minute when their lively striker Lee Hughes slipped the ball to Westcarr who drilled it through the legs of goalkeeper Adam Bartlett into the net from close range.

Four minutes before the break Hereford looked to have grabbed a lucky equaliser when Graham Lee headed the ball into his own net under a challenge from striker Mathieu Manset, only for Manset to be ruled offside by referee Scott Mathieson.

County's central defender Edwards snapped up the Magpies second in the 51st minute when he volleyed a free-kick from Ben Davies past goalkeeper Bartlett into the net.