The first goal came straight after kick-off and as Paul Mullin sprinted away celebrating his strike, which was scored after several players had had shots blocked in a desperate goalmouth scramble, fans were still on their way into the ground.
If there were any doubts about how Jon Kennedy's replacement Danny Alcock would perform in his full debut they were shortened just a few minutes later when Hereford looked to have equalised but for a superb save by the former Barnsley man.
Mullin could have doubled Stanley's lead if he had connected with a McEvilly cross which ‘keeper Jonathon Gould, on loan from Preston, missed and Mullin had another good chance when a good move involving Steve Jagielka, Lutel James and Mullin ended with Mullin's shot being blocked by the legs of a visiting defender.
Jon Smith, whose name was greeted with roars of delight when the starting line-up was read out, came close with two great headers but he was forced back most of the time as Stanley struggled to cope with the visiting attacks.
Hereford had most of the possession and the equaliser was inevitable and it came on 28 minutes with a great volley by the Hereford forward but Stanley could have scored with another goalmouth scramble but this time the Reds' shot was cleared off the line by a defender.
Lutel James came close with a good volley but that was the last attack of the first half as the referee, who had been biased towards Hereford all night, blew for the end of the two minute's added time.
A good attack after the break saw Stanley earn a corner but and Jon Smith connected but his header went agonisingly wide and Craney, who was a constant menace to the Hereford defence all night, were denied by a fantastic Jonathon Gould save minutes later.
Ian Craney missed what was undoubtedly the best chance of the match when he was clean through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat but his poor shot rolled wide but his next shot was on target and when Gould spilled Mullin was there to tap in and give the Reds the lead again.
Rory Prendergast, on for McEvilly, had a long run but his shot lacked power and that was one of the last moves of the match and the Reds were deserved winners.