Hereford United strengthened their grip at the top of the Nationwide Conference with this impressive victory over fellow high-flyers Stevenage.
And although the visitors ran out comfortable winners in the end the match appeared to turn on a dramatic penalty incident after just 20 minutes.
Up until that point both sides have engaged in a lively battle and had half chances to take the lead with Anthony Elding twice going close for Stevenage while Ben Smith and Danny Williams should have done better with efforts early on.
Stevenage looked to have the ideal opportunity to break the deadlock when they were awarded the penalty on 22 minutes when referee Blackledge controversially adjudged Michael Rose to have tripped Elding. Elding's strike was brilliantly saved by keeper Matt Baker and when the Boro frontman blasted the rebound over the bar it appeared that Stevenage's heads began to drop.
Hereford took full advantage and within just five minutes they were ahead after Smith gained position just inside the Borough half and ran at the defence before driving the ball home from the edge of the box.
Further chances fell to Paul Parry and Steve Guinan as Hereford dominated the first half and there appeared to be no change in the second period as Stevenage were unable to break down the visitors solid defence.
Peter Costello came closest to an equaliser on 53 minutes when he turned and shot from close range only for his effort to be blocked by Baker.
Hereford continued to enjoy possession and made it tell in spectacular fashion on 65 minutes when they grabbed the decisive second after the ball fell to Guinan on the edge of the area and he made no mistake with his spectacular drive into the top right-hand corner of the net.