Hereford extended their unbeaten run to eight games with this Vauxhall Conference draw, but goalkeeper Andy Quy's hopes of setting a new shut-out record were dashed by a 40th-minute penalty award.

Quy, who had prevented opponents scoring against him for 590 minutes prior to Saturday's game, was finally beaten 35 minutes short of Kevin Rose's existing mark, set 14 years ago, when skipper Brian McGorry impeded the lively Corey Browne in the penalty area and Danny Bolt netted with some ease from the spot. Quy could count himself distinctly unlucky to lose his record in such a way because he had very little to do during the remainder of an encounter which saw few scoring opportunities at either end.

The best of such opportunities as did arise fell to Hereford, whose 30th-minute opener was a well-taken effort by youngster Gary Cook. The 20-year-old scored his first senior goal at Edgar Street when Bolt sent an attempted clearance back towards his own goal and Cook ran on to guide a header past keeper Paul Wilkerson from just outside the penalty area.

Cook, standing in once again for the injured on- loan Richard Leadbeater, was only just wide minutes later with a flying header from a Murray Fishlock cross. He also had a part to play in United's best chance to clinch the three points, which fell to another youngster, Gavin Williams, a second-half substitute for Tony Agana, who was withdrawn with a foot injury.

Ian Rodgerson, who gave another solid display at right-back, crossed for skipper Brian McGorry to head across goal to Cook. The young striker was unable to get a shot in himself but teed the ball up for Williams who sidefooted his 81st-minute effort inches wide of the post. United's other substitute, non-contract player Craig Mansell, was involved in Hereford's other two likeliest openings.

The midfielder, who joined the action after 21 minutes when Richard Walker, stomach upset, was unable to continue, let fly with a 25-yarder which screamed just past the angle of post and bar on 43 minutes.

Then, seven minutes into the second period, another ferocious Mansell effort from the edge of the box was palmed out by Wilkerson as far as John Brough who guided his header from the rebound narrowly wide. Browne and Angus, of Slough, were both cautioned for fouls, but Hereford avoided any further yellow cards.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Walker (Mansell 21 mins), Brough, Matthewson, Warner, McGorry, Cook, Agana (Williams 72 mins), Mahon. Sub not used: Durham.

Attendance: 2,013.