The 2005–06 season saw Hereford finally secure promotion via the play-offs after a third consecutive 2nd place, despite an indifferent first half of the season averaging seventh position. The turning point was the introduction of local teenager Andy Williams which led to a 16 match unbeaten run in the league. Indeed, from the start of December to the end of the season, Hereford were only beaten once in the league. Notable comebacks in the league against Grays Athletic and champions Accrington Stanley helped preserve the best defensive record in the Conference, with six defeats and just 33 league goals conceded all season. The play-off campaign started identically to the previous two seasons with Hereford drawing 1–1 away, this time to Morecambe. In the home leg the match went into extra time with the scores level at 2–2, after three goals in the opening twelve minutes. Guy Ipoua scored the winner in the 107th minute sparking a pitch invasion, and setting up a showdown against Halifax Town in the final at Walker's Stadium, Leicester. Approximately 10,000 of the 15,499 attendance were Hereford supporters who saw their team win promotion after a 3–2 win. Halifax took the lead twice in normal time only to be pegged back twice; by Williams' diving header in the first half and substitute Ipoua, with ten minutes to go to force extra time. The winner came in the 109th minute from full back Ryan Green, and sealed Hereford's return to the Football League after nine years of Conference football.