HALIFAX were happy to pick up a point from their trip to Edgar Street on Saturday and edge nearer to the Vauxhall Conference championship, while acknowledging that Hereford were the dominant side.

The Shaymen's veteran manager George Mulhall conceded that on the day United were the better team, saying: ''It was a good result but not a good game for us. Hereford had all the play. Attacking-wise we were poor but the defence came up with a clean sheet. It was a good point as Hereford are the form team at the moment.''

Although the goalless draw stretched the Bulls' unbeaten Conference run to 12 matches, coach Keith Downing was disappointed they did not grab all three points but he said: ''It shows how far we have come in the last three months.''

In November the Conference's top marksman Geoff Horsfield destroyed United with all three goals when Halifax won 3-0 at the Shay Stadium. On Saturday, however, he never looked like adding to his 27 league goals this season. Central defenders John Brough and Trevor Matthewson blotted him out of the picture, while full-backs Ian Rodgerson and Murray Fishlock allowed him few crosses from the flanks.

With Hereford's midfield dominating the play, United forced nine corners to Halifax's four, home keeper Andy Quy had only two anxious moments.

Midway through the second period he made a fine diving save to keep out Paul Stoneman's fierce 35-yard free-kick. Then, in the dying minutes, a Jamie Paterson shot bounced off Quy's chest and the keeper was relieved to see Noel Horner fire the rebound high and wide. United's 34-year-old experienced campaigner Tony Agana was supported in attack by rookie Gavin Williams, who is half his age. Agana twice eluded the Shaymen's well-organised defence to get two efforts on target.

Early in the first half keeper Andy Rhodes raced off his line to smother a close range shot and after the break he reacted quickly to dive to his right for Agana's header from Brian McGorry's centre. In only his second full first-team appearance Williams' performance of high promise showed a maturity beyond his 17 years. A minute after Horner's miss, midfielder Chris Hargreaves almost snatched the winner for the Bulls, heading inches wides of an upright.

Three players from each side were booked with Wolverhampton referee Steve Castle brandishing yellow cards at Hereford's Brough, Matthewson and Rob Warner.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Brough, Matthewson, Fishlock, Pitman (Warner 56 mins) McGorry, Mahon, Hargreaves, Agana, Williams. Subs not used: Walker, Parry.

Attendance: 3,304.