HEREFORD manager Pete Beadle conceded that Westfields were the better team for large periods of the game as the Bulls survived a scare to advance to the quarter-finals of the HFA County Challenge Cup.

Westfields had a number of chances to score in the first half, including hitting the crossbar through Matt Sysum.

Hereford kicked on in the second half and two quick goals from Jamie Bird and Lance Smith put them in control.

But Westfields never gave up and reduced reducing the deficit through Dan Polan 14 minutes from time.

However, they could not force another goal, which would have taken the game into extra-time.

"I thought they were the better team for long periods of the game," said Beadle.

"Certainly in the first half, I thought they dominated the play, moved the ball really well and restricted us to very little and were probably disappointed that they didn't come in one or two-nil up.

"It was about winning the game if we could, but the priority was to get minutes for the boys that haven't had many."

Beadle said his team were 'too pedestrian' in the first half.

"We asked them to be more purposeful in their play," he said.

"It was too pedestrian at times in terms of how they moved the ball, but you can understand that because a lot of the players haven't played much game time lately.

"But in the second half, I thought we were more aggressive in our forward play.

"We got a lucky first goal then the second one quickly afterwards, which settled us down."

New signing Bird impressed, but Beadle felt it took him a while to get going.

"I thought he was very apprehensive in the first half, but in the second half you saw a a little bit of what we see in training," said Beadle.

"That drive and the runs he makes behind people.

"It's a promising start after a very slow first half.

"He's gone down with cramp because he's very emotional about the game.

"He will have a rest now then we'll get some more minutes out of him hopefully soon."

Smith also showed purpose in front of goal and Beadle said he will soon be pushing for a starting place.

"Mike [Symons] and John [Mills] played upfront on Saturday and did extremely well.

"What is important is he stays fit which means that the players ahead of him can't rest on their laurels."

Adam Page played as left-back, with Brad Williams on the other side.

"We're trying to keep as many players as fresh as we can," added Beadle/

"Pablo played as well and with Adam being a natural lefty, left-back probably suited him best.

"Brad had to fill in at right-back which is not natural for him, but I thought he did great."

Hereford now have back-to-back away league games, starting with Weymouth on Saturday.

"We've had a couple of long trips and now we got to Weymouth on Saturday and Frome on Wednesday," said Beadle.

"It's a tough programme but we've shown that we've got great depth in our squad and if we need to rest a few for Wednesday, then we may do.

"But if not, we'll go all guns blazing."