Hereford earned a share of the spoils against play-off chasing AFC Telford United on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls took the lead in the 7th minute with a well-taken goal by Rowan Liburd, but Shane Sutton cancelled it out after half time.
After arguably one of the worst performances of the season against Southport last Saturday, Hereford started brightly against Telford and a hot and sunny Edgar Street.
An early free kick went Hereford's way after Keiran Thomas was brought down by former Bull James McQuilkin, but Jak Hickman couldn't breach the Bucks' defence with the set-piece.
But the 2,623 fans inside Edgar Street didn't have to wait long for a goal, with Hereford drawing first blood inside ten minutes. Some good play from Cardiff City loanee James Waite saw him thread through to Rowan Liburd and after taking a touch he struck the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
With Telford needing a win to keep their play-off dreams alive, the looked to respond quickly and grab a goal in front of the Meadow End. Darryl Knights picked out Ryan Barnett in space on the flank, but the Shrewsbury loanee's cross was hacked away at the far post.
It was very pleasing to see the Whites playing neat, passing football throughout the first half, something which most supporters would agree has been sparse this season. Tommy O'Sullivan picked up a loose ball in midfield after some sloppy play from Their Streete, finding Rowan Liburd on the left. Liburd weaved his way into the box but Jon Royle was able to cut out his attempted pass to Mike Symons in front of goal.
Hereford's dominated first half performance continued and controlled the majority of possession. By the end of the half Telford had started to liven up and cause a few more problems, but these were well-dealt with by the Bulls.
In the 37th minute it looked almost certain that Matt Yates was fouled as he leapt to catch the ball through a crowd of players, but play continued. Andre Brown got the final touch as he blazed an effort over the bar, but was deemed to be offside.
James McQuilkin should've done better when he had a chance to equalise for the visitors. McQuilkin linked up well with Knights to create a decent opportunity, but the midfielder dragged his low shot from the edge of the area well wide of Yates' goal.
Two chances for the Bucks came on the stroke of half time, but Ryan Barnett's cross couldn't find a red shirt after Greenslade lost possession, before moments later Jon Royle fired over from outside the box.
Half time: Hereford 1 - AFC Telford United 0
Telford had grown into the game by half time, but Bulls once again started looking the brighter of the two sides. In the 50th minute Mike Symons did well to hold the ball up to bring Eliot Richards into play. The Welshman tried his luck and his dipping shot looked destined to double Hereford's lead, but somehow Telford 'keeper Josef Bursik managed to get a hand to it to tip the effort over the bar.
Telford then got a foothold in the game and enjoyed plenty of possession as well as numerous set-pieces but they weren't able to break down Hereford's defence until the 62nd minute when Eliot Richards was booked for a foul midway inside Telford's half. Bulls stopper Matt Yates was tricked into thinking Stephen Morley's free kick was going wide, but instead the ball was headed back into the goalmouth by Theo Streete from the byline. Shane Sutton was on hand to tap home into the back of an unguarded net from what appeared a well-rehearsed set-piece.
20 minutes from time a great block from Telford goalkeeper Bursik prevented Liburd grabbing his second. Symons did well to play the ball through to James Waite, who under pressure teed up Rowan Liburd inside the box, but his effort was saved.
The referee started dishing out yellow cards like they were going out of fashion and stopping play for innocuous challenges. Hereford fans would've felt the visitors' captain Shane Sutton should've seen more than a yellow when he pushed Mike Symons to the floor after he reacted badly to a handball decision against him.
Symons then had an effort saved down low as the game entered the final ten minutes. Waite did well to play the ball to Greenslade out wide who crossed back in, but Bursik was equal to the effort.
Despite a penalty shout in stoppage time which was waived away by the referee, Hereford saw the game out and earned themselves a point.
Full time: Hereford 1 - AFC Telford United 1
Attendance: 2,623 (237 away)
Sponsors' man of the match: Josh Gowling
Hereford: Yates, Hickman 🔶, Greenslade, Thomas, Cullinane-Liburd, Gowling 🔶, Richards 🔶 (Finn 83'), O'Sullivan (Wesolowski 69' 🔶), Liburd ⚽️, Waite, Symons 🔶.
Subs not used: Ezewele, Wharton, Hill.
AFC Telford United: Bursik, White, Morley, Royle, Sutton (c) 🔶, Streete, Barnett (Morgan-Smith 78'), McQuilkin, Brown (Cowans 58'), Udoh 🔶 (Dinanga 90'), Knights.
Subs not used: Smith, Dawson.