There was a major shock when the teamsheet was handed ahead of the crucial clash against Hereford United.

Jimmy McNulty was pulled out of the squad after he was given permission to talk to an unnamed club with a view to a permanent deal going through on Monday.

There was some better news for Jim Gannon, though, when Matty McNeil declared himself fit to lead the attack.

Oli Johnson, who was also doubtful, made the starting eleven as well. James Tunnicliffe wasn't as lucky. He failed a late fitness test after picking up an injury at manor Farm on Thursday.

County got off to the best possible start with one of the fastest-ever goals seen at Edgeley Park.

Bulls skipper Karl Broadhurst missed a clearance on the bobbly Edgeley Park surface allowing Dominic Blizzard to race past him and roll the ball beyond Craig Samson after just 14 seconds.

The goal certainly gave the Hatters a real lift and they came close to scoring again on seven minutes. Paul Turnbull picked out Oli Johnson who jinked past Richard Rose and tried to beat Rose at his near post. The keeper made a good save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

A minute later Tommy Rowe's corner was knocked back to Matty Mainwaring by Johnny Mullins. The midfielder took aim from the edge of the box but shot over.

County were well on top and threatened again on 13 minutes. Blizzard's ball inside the fullback found the overlapping Threlfall who saw his low cross well save by Samson at the near post.

The Edgeley faithful were on their feet again on 17 minutes who Rowe played a clever reverse pass to Johnson. The former Nostell Miners Welfare striker got to the bye-line but his pull back was just behind McNeil.

The Bulls threatened for the first time on 19 minutes when Andy Williams created a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box. His shot didn't match his approach work, though, the ball ended up in the Railway End, sparsely populated by the visiting supporters.

Two minutes later Williams volleyed a cross in from the right which was well cleared by Blizzard who was having an outstanding game.

County almost doubled their advantage midway through the half. Rowe was brought down on the edge of the box and McSweeney's free kick hit the stanchion behind the goal.

Hereford stunned Edgeley Park with an equaliser on 26 minutes. Jenison Myrie-Williams burst down the right flank and pulled the ball back to Sam Hewson who beat Fon Williams for his first Football League goal.

The Hatters weren't on level terms for long. Seven minutes later Threlfall's brilliant corner flicked off the head of Toumani Diagourage to McNeil who scored at the far post with a flying header.

Just before the interval another Threlfall corner presented Mullins with a chance but the defender headed over.

County continued to take the game to Hereford after the break and twice in the opening minutes Johnson and Rowe saw shots deflected wide.

And the pressure paid off on 52 minutes when Mainwaring gave the Hatters breathing space with a third goal.

Threlfall's corner was half cleared to the former Preston youngster who jinked past two defenders before finishing superbly with his right foot.

County were now completely in control and they scored a fourth goal their dominance deserved fourteen minutes from time.

Rowe fed the overlapping Michael Rose who whipped in a brilliant ball in from the left. Johnson flicked it into the path of McSweeney who volleyed home from the edge of the box.