REPRESENTATIVES from Everton, Cardiff City and Derby County were at Edgar Street to see Hereford deny Welling the three points they desperately needed in their bid to avoid relegation from the Nationwide Conference.

United director of football Graham Turner was unaware of any particular player they were watching but no doubt they noted the potential of the Bulls' 18-year-old winger Paul Parry.

In the first half he posed most threat to Welling's defence with some menacing raids from United's left flank.

After the interval the Wings' young right-back Anthony Rivere closed him down until the final 10 minutes during which he set up some more skirmishes in the visitors' goalmouth.

Turner said: "We didn't cash in on Parry's crosses and I thought there was an end-of-season tiredness about our play."

Nevertheless, although the football was not of a high technical standard, there was plenty of end-to-end, open play to maintain interest and each side forced nine corners.

Welling got off to an impressive start with John Ugbah firing just wide of the far post in the third minute. The Kent club then forced four corners in quick succession. Soon after home keeper Andy Quy tipped a header from Stafford Browne over the bar.

After this Parry began to impose himself on the game. Gavin Williams headed one of his pin-point centre's over the bar and Terry Skiverton made a last-ditch clearance from another as Stuart Evans closed in for the kill. When Parry sent over a high ball from the right flank, keeper Glen Knight just managed to scramble it away.

In a Welling retaliatory raid Quy had to dive to his left to parry Richie Hanlon's low drive. Hanlon regained possession and centred dangerously to the far post where the reliable Hereford skipper Ian Rodgerson headed the ball away for a corner.

The best chance of the game fell to Zeke Rowe in the 51st minute. Rowe dived forward to get his head to Neil Trebble's cross but, just as the ball looked to be entering the net, Quy flung himself full length to push it away.

In the closing minutes the Bulls went close to snatching victory. Knight managed to block Ian Wright's header, while an on-target shot from substitute Steven Cowe was cleared by Skiverton.

Hereford: Quy, Lane, Evans, Wright, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Dennison (Cowe 75 mins), Williams Cook, Parry. Subs not used: Jones, Cross.

Attendance: 1,532.

MEANWHILE, Hereford Reserves were beaten 4-1 away by Worcester City Reserves in the Central Conf-erence. Wayne Dyer scored Hereford's goal.

Previously, United played a goalless draw at Telford United when they fielded a number of trialists, including two realeased from West Bromwich Albion.