Banbury got proceedings underway attacking towards the away terrace, but Hereford created the first chance of the game when a well-worked attack ended in Lance Smith heading wide. Keyon Reffell did well to control a high ball on the right flank, before cutting it back to Jimmy Oates. As the ball was crossed into the box, Smith tried his luck but failed to test the keeper.
Banbury's Ravi Shamsi should've done better with his shot in the 17th minute, but he fired well-wide of the goal despite support from Jefferson Louis.
Two chances for Mike McGrath on the half hour mark were sent sky-ward by the midfielder.
Firstly, James Bowen burst into the box after beating his man, but was dispossessed by Tom Bradbury. McGrath got to the loose ball, but his rising shot cleared the bar.
He then repeated the trick seconds later, firing over after Adam Page saw a low drive parried.
But the Bulls did break the deadlock with 33 minutes on the clock. Keyon Reffell beautifully controlled a cross-field ball, before turning towards goal. The ex-Merthyr man then unleashed a shot from outside the area, leaving the keeper with no chance as Hereford took the lead before the break.
HT: Banbury United 0 - Hereford 1
The Bulls showed some neat, passing football at the start of the second half, with Keyon Reffell coming close to grabbing a second. As the ball was worked to Reffell just outside the area, he blazed a shot narrowly over from 20-yards.
At the other end of the pitch, the visitors conceded a free kick on the edge of their own area, but Martin Horsell was well-positioned to make a strong save.
Charlie Hawtin then played a low cross into the box from the right, but the ball managed to evade the red shirts of Banbury before going out for a Hereford throw.
In the 73rd minute, captain Jimmy Oates came close to scoring his first league goal or the season, but home keeper Jack Harding kept his effort out from point-blank range.
Neither side managed to create anything meaningful in the remainder of the second half, with Hereford seeing the game out 1-0 winners.
FT: Banbury United 0 - Hereford 1
Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), Bowen, Purdie, Green, Deaman, Page, McGrath, Mills, Reffell, Smith.
Subs: Bird, Symons, Preston, Haysham, Harris.
Next Game: FA Cup - Eastleigh Away on Saturday 14th October at 3pm (All Ticket)