Aaron Skinner’s first half penalty was cancelled out by Luke Duffy impressive strike for the 10 men of Macclesfield.

However, Notts County loanee Iwunze found the winner, as the Silkmen finished the match with nine men.

Hereford came into the game having waited two weeks to avenge their 1-0 home defeat last time out.

Danny Waldron came into the Bulls attack and showed his danger in the opening minutes to beat his marker, only for his goal to be ruled out for a push on his opponent.

The full-time Silkmen are tipped to be title contenders and forced Theo Richardson into action early on, first denying a chance Daniel Elliott shot and then Jonathan Ustabasi’s dangerous cross.

Hereford took a 15th minute lead from the penalty spot after Luke Spoke’s shot was spilled by former Kidderminster goalkeeper Christian Dibble.

Waldron looked bound to score before being dragged down by Elliot Osborne.

Osborne was shown a straight red card for the offence and Skinner calmly dispatched the resulting penalty.

Macclesfield responded and Josh Kay’s cross was guided over the crossbar by Elliott.

In a good spell of pressure for the hosts Luke Duffy found space outside the box and sent his curling effort over the crossbar.

Dibble struggled in the wet conditions during the first half and he spilled another Spokes effort. However, this time Skinner sent his effort wide from a tight angle.

Aaron Downes’ side finished the game sharply and Waldron raced through on goal, only for Dibble to save his effort.

There was drama before the second half began with surface water left on the artificial surface.

The ground staff who had been clearing the water before the match were nowhere to be found and their Bowdry sponge equipment stored away.

However, Bulls chairman Chris Ammonds found the missed equipment before Hereford assistant Harry Pell, along with goalkeeper coach Shaun Edwards cleared the pitch so the match could re-start.

Despite looking happy for the match to be abandoned Macclesfield had a 52nd minute equaliser thanks to a fine Duffy strike from 25 yards out.

Just six minutes Hereford regained their lead with Billy Phillips releasing Iwunze to net.

The task for Macclesfield was made harder when Josh Kay was shown red for a second bookable offence and the hosts were reduced to nine men.

Skinner then turned provider and beat several players before feeding through Waldron whose effort from a tight angle was saved.

Macclesfield remained in the tie and the introduction of Paul Dawson created problems for the visitors.

The substitute met a corner four minutes from time before seeing his effort cleared off the goal-line.

Goalkeeper Dibble made two fine saves at the death to deny Hereford a third goal for their efforts. First the shot stopper made a double save to deny Cawley Cox and Phillips.

Moments later Notts County loanee Cameron Muir then saw his driven effort denied by the goalkeeper as the Bulls secured the points.

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Kandola, Merrett, Tustin (Holmes 55), Waldron (Muir 70), Spokes (Willis 90), James, Iwunze (Cox 83), Phillips, Howins.

Unused subs: Martin, Roberts, Lewis.