THE stay-away fans probably had the right idea at Edgar Street in mid-week as two sides conjured up a Nationwide Conference result that was no real good to either of them, writes Richard Prime.

Kingstonian needed all three points to boost their bid to hang on to Conference status while United desperately needed a win if they were to retain any realistic hope of the top seven place which would bring them a LDV Vans Trophy spot next season.

But neither attack could find a way past Scott Cooksey in the United goal and Jimmy Glass, the keeper whose goal kept Carlisle in the Football League with the last kick of the 1998-9 season, between the posts for the Ks.

"We had a spell in the first half when we created chances," said Hereford's director of football Graham Turner. "Gavin Williams had three openings but we didn't take them.

"Down the slope in the second half their three big centre-halves played a bit deeper and we weren't bright enough to get by them."

Kingstonian manager Geoff Chapple, whose record in non-league football is second to very few over the years, admitted that the draw was not really enough for his side.

"I'm proud of each and every one of my team," he said. "If we'd played like that all season we wouldn't have a problem now. But it may be too late in the day."

The best chance of the game fell to Williams on 14 minutes when he was set clear by a fine through ball from Snape. But, as far too often in recent games, the youngster was unable to profit from a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper and Glass blocked the shot.

Rob Elmes volleyed a Williams cross inches wide after 51 minutes and Glass had to stretch to tip over a 30-yarder from Ian Wright 12 minutes later, but Cooksey was largely the keeper making the saves in the latter stages.

He made a fine save to block a shot from Sammy Winston in the 62nd minute and then did well to keep out another Winston effort after the visiting striker had got away from Tony James.

Cooksey's best stop came eight minutes from the end, however, when he did exceptionally well to get in the way of a drive from the lively Gavin Holligan.

The meagre gate of 867 was definitely the lowest for a league fixture at Edgar Street in the last 30 years and almost certainly in the club's 77-year history.

Hereford: Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess (Plotnek 76 mins), Rodgerson, Wright, James, Quiggin (Parry 72 mins), Snape, Elmes, Williams, Shirley.

Kingstonian: Glass, Boyce, Luckett, Allan, Stewart, Harris, Patterson (Akuamoah 69 mins), Pitcher (Bass 44 mins), Winston (Green 84 mins), Holligan, Beard. Subs not used: Saunders, Blake.

Referee: Darren Spicer (Totton).

Attendance: 867.