Hereford United failed to breakdown a stubborn Notts County side, and had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Edgar Street this afternoon. Simon Johnson and Theo Robinson both missed good opportunities in front of 3945 supporters, including 199 in the away enclosure. The result is a repeat of last season's New Year's clash, when Wycombe held United to a 0-0 draw at Adams Park.
Following Saturday's impressive away win at Bradford, United made two changes to their starting eleven. Clint Easton failed to recover from a knock and Sam Gwynne replaced him, with Simon Johnson switching to the left wing. Steve Guinan was preferred up front to Trevor Benjamin, who had to settle for a place on the bench alongside youngsters Marcus Palmer and Jordan Fitzpatrick. Former loanee Neil MacKenzie was the pick of the players on show for Notts County.
The visitors should have opened the scoring in the fifth minute when a mistake by Kris Taylor allowed Lawrie Dudfield time and space in the box, and he picked out Richard Butcher, but the midfielder wasted the golden chance when a bobble meant his shot ended up over the bar. Hector Sam also had a good chance when a corner hadn't been cleared, and the striker's attempted close range finish ended up the wrong side of the post. Hereford's main threat came from the pace and skill of Johnson and Robinson, with the former creating space for himself before curling a delightful right foot effort just past the far post. Later on in the half, Johnson struck a free-kick wide, whilst a long-range effort from Robinson forced Kevin Pilkington into a low diving save.
Chances were rare in the first half, but County started the second half with a bang. Within the first minute of the second period, Butcher struck a powerful left footed drive goalwards and Wayne Brown had to make a good save in mid-air to deny the midfield man. From the corner that followed, Dudfield's flick was deflected narrowly over the bar, and then from the next corner, an unchallenged Stephen Hunt headed over from ten yards. The Bulls looked as though they were still in the changing rooms, as the away side continued to press. Dudfield's neat through ball found Sam, but his powerful shot brushed the wrong side of the netting.
United finally came to life when Taylor sent an inswinging free-kick into the danger area; it fell to the backpost where Robinson had time to compose himself, but he failed to repeat his goal at Macclesfield by blasting over from close range. Robinson's strike partner Guinan also had a good opportunity when MacKenzie lost the ball in his own area, but his first time strike went well wide. Good work down the right hand side from Andy Parkinson allowed Austin McCann to head goalwards but it failed to trouble Brown. The best chance of the game for United fell to Johnson, after fine work from Ben Smith in the middle of the park. His pressure allowed him to control and find Johnson on the left-hand side, with just one defender to beat. Johnson cut inside the defender, and struck a shot inches past the upright.
County sat back after the introduction of Benjamin in place of Gwynne. They seemed content with the point, and this was emphasised by the arrival of defender Gary Silk, who replaced striker Sam. United probed in the closing periods, with Johnson's quick-feet allowing him to cross to the back-post; up rose Guinan but his header went wide. A bursting run from Trent McClenahan bought a foul, but good advantage saw Robinson have half a chance inside the area, but Pilkington was quick to close him down and denied him. Former Lincoln City full-back Paul Mayo was subbed on for McCann to run the clock down, which the visitors did, with a series of throw-ins in the attacking third. Taylor's late free-kick gave United hope that a late goal may be on the cards, but it trickled past the post.
It proved a frustrating afternoon for Hereford, who were lacklustre to say the least. Notts County came looking for a point, and proved resillient opponents for The Bulls. Easton was sorely missed by United, as they lacked the killer pass and good crosses. On a brighter note, both Toumani Diagouraga and Smith were on fine form in the middle of the park, but the former picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and looks likely to miss the league match against Shrewsbury Town a week on Sunday. Next up for United is the FA Cup at Tranmere, a game which could prove a welcome distraction from their ongoing promotion push.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Collins, Taylor, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Smith, Johnson, Guinan, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Fitzpatrick, Palmer, Benjamin.
Notts County: Pilkington, Cannonville, Hunt, Pearce, Tann, Parkinson, MacKenzie, Butcher, McCann, Dudfield, Sam.
Subs: Sandercombe, Silk, Mayo, Lee, Weir-Daley.