CHRIS Lane rescued a point for a below-par Hereford on Saturday with a penalty 13 minutes from time in the Nationwide Conference.

United showed a level of resolve not displayed last season to come from a goal behind for the second home game in succession, following a first-half opener from Stevenage teenager Paul Armstrong.

Lane made no mistake from the spot for his third goal of the season after former Edgar Street trialist Dean Martin, on as a substitute for Boro, felled Gavin Williams.

It was a topsy-turvy contest which saw the Bulls dominate the first half and pepper the visitors' goal, only to go behind in the 21st minute.

Makeshift striker Armstrong, pushed forward from his regular midfield position, chased a through ball from Adrian Clarke, seized on a slip from Hereford centre-back Tony James and kept his cool to round keeper Scott Cooksey.

However, it came after several opportunities for the Bulls to take the initiative, the first on six minutes when Kerry Giddings found himself with time and space inside the Boro box, but blazed a powerful effort well over.

Cooksey flew into acrobatic action immediately afterwards to divert Steve Searle's scorching shot over the bar, before United player-coach Phil Robinson nearly shattered the frame at the opposite end on 18 minutes.

Robinson's first effort from the edge of the box was blocked, but he collected the rebound swiftly and unleashed a fearsome effort which cannoned off the underside of Boro keeper Chris Taylor's bar.

Hereford's next golden opportunity, preceded by Armstrong's strike, was instigated when the otherwise ineffective Paul Parry put Gavin Williams clean through, but the young striker hit a rushed shot that sailed high and wide.

Stevenage captain Nathan Bunce became the first of six Boro players to find their way into the book of referee Laurence Jones on 28 minutes for a crude challenge on Cooksey and, in so doing, set the tone for the remainder of the match.

The Bulls had a handful of half chances before the break, but the second half descended into a scrappy affair, which saw tempers fray on both sides.

Indeed, Neil Illman may count himself fortunate to have stayed on the pitch after he knocked Robinson to the floor on the hour as they lined up in the wall ahead of a Hereford free-kick, but he received only a yellow card.

Hereford nearly pulled themselves level four minutes later when Parry's corner was headed goalwards by Rob Elmes, only to be cleared off the line, while Wright also had an effort blocked in the resultant melee.

But Lane ensured a fourth draw from five home Conference matches this season after Williams was bundled over as he charged down the left and into the area, just a minute after switching flanks following the substitution of Parry.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Parry (Hanson 76 mins), Snape (Elmes 46 mins), Giddings, Williams, McIndoe. Subs not used: Wall, Baker, Gardiner.

Stevenage: Taylor, Kirby, Trott, Wraight, Bunce, Illman (Pearson 87 mins), Miller, Searle (Dyer 81 mins), Clarke, Armstrong (Martin 63 mins), Hay. Subs not used: Nyamah, Wilkerson.

Referee: L Jones (Bournemouth).

Attendance: 2,251.