Hereford got their Nationwide Conference campaign off to an unbeaten start but it was a game in which neither side created sufficient clear-cut chances to deserve all three points.

Realistically, a draw was always on the cards as the Bulls have never won an opening day fixture in the Conference and the Sandgrounders have never lost one.

United did show a smattering of creation throughout and the encouraging work of Matt Clarke and last season's top joint scorer Rob Elmes hinted that they may have a promising season to look forward to.

Elmes, in particular, challenged the visiting defence with his physical presence and nearly gave Hereford the lead after 25 minutes.

He headed down an Ian Rodgerson corner at the back post but ex-Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale, a summer signing for Southport, came to the rescue and sliced a hacked clearance off the line.

Rodgerson volleyed a half-clearance over the bar of Southport keeper Steve Dickinson on 34 minutes following a long throw from Chris Lane and he was involved in the Bulls' next chance six minutes afterwards.

From a well worked 25-yard free-kick, Rodgerson tapped the ball to Michael McIndoe, who fired into the arms of Dickinson, while Teale replied for Southport with a 30-yard strike straight at United stopper Scott Cooksey.

Teale was a rock at the back for the Sand-grounders and showed his pedigree with an assured performance to halt the Bulls' charge.

Gavin Williams partnered Elmes up front in the absence of Steve Piearce, but looked uncomfortable away from his regular wide position.

In contrast, Elmes threatened the Southport goal two minutes before half-time when he hit the top of the bar with a header, although United had already been adjudged to be off-side.

Lee Furlong tested Cooksey a minute later when the ball ran kindly and allowed him a passage through the otherwise solid Hereford back-line but the keeper made a smart parry.

Chances were at a premium in the second half and it was not until the 73rd minute that either side threatened to break the deadlock when Southport striker Simon Parke headed a free-kick from Mark Stuart over the bar from close range.

However, within 60 seconds Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson, who made his league debut for the Bulls along with McIndoe, flicked a 20-yard effort from Rodger-son mere inches wide.

Both sides had late opportunities to snatch victory but Cooksey got down well and beat away a shot from Furlong, who had been released by Neil Grayston, and McIndoe headed a centre from Lane off-target.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Snape, Elmes, Williams (Piearce 69 mins), McIndoe. Subs not used: Baker, Gardiner, Hanson, Moran.

Southport: Dickinson, Clark, Stuart, Teale, Guyett, Bolland, Marsh, Gouck, Parke, Furlong, Grayston. Subs not used: Linighan, Morgan, Elam, Pell, Whittaker.

Referee: A Penn (Kingswinford).

Attendance: 2,438.