Hereford punctured Scarborough's play-offs aspirations and fanned their own hopes of beating relegation with a battling draw at the McCain Stadium in the Nationwide Third Division on Saurday.

Below-par United struggled to get their game going and had goalkeeper Trevor Wood to thank for preventing defeat, particularly in the early stages when he made three brilliant saves to prevent the home side taking the lead.

Hereford could, however, have pinched an unlikely victory two minutes from time when John Williams, who had put United in front in the first-half, lashed a fierce shot just over following good work by Chris Hargreaves. Williams was restored to the United line-up in place of Rob Warner as one of two changes from the previous week's victory over Colchester. The other alteration saw John Brough take over from injured Dean Smith at the heart of a Hereford defence which was put under considerable pressure in the first 10 minutes.

After seven minutes Wood made the first of his outstanding saves from a David Brooke header and then, a minute later, showed excellent reactions to tip Steve Brodie's header from a Gareth Williams cross around the post. In the next Scarborough attack Wood foiled Brodie again with another fine save from an angled shot.

Hereford continued to resist the home side's attacks with Wood going full length after 25 minutes to save a 20- yarder from Brooke. But then, much to everyone's surprise, the visitors emerged to take the lead eight minutes before half-time. Brian McGorry toe-poked a pass through to Williams on the half-way line and the powerful striker showed his much-vaunted pace to leave three defenders floundering in his wake before slipping the ball past keeper Ian Ironside from the edge of the box. The large band of Hereford supporters were in rapture and kept up their noisy approbation at the start of the second half as they sought to inspire the United defence to hold out. This they did until the 70th minute when the unmarked Gareth Williams met a corner from substitute Matthew Russell to head past Wood, who made past Wood, who appeared to have been impeded in his attempt to cut out the cross.

Six minutes from time McGorry fired in a powerful 20-yard free kick which was capably held by Ironside, but the last word went to Wood, who made the game's final decisive act by diving to save a header from Gary Bennett deep in injury time as Scarborough attempted to grab the points.

Skipper David Norton, who played well in his new role in central defence, picked up a second half booking for dissent.

Hereford: Wood, Norton, Fishlock, Brough, Sandeman, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, A. Foster (I. Foster 89 mins), Williams, Turner (Warner 74 mins). Sub not used: Hibbard.

Attendance: 2,332.