Morecambe 2 Hereford United 2

LIVELY winger Paul Parry grabbed a late equaliser for Hereford United in a deserved 2-2 Nationwide Conference draw at Morecambe on Saturday.

Parry rifled in an 83rd leveller to deny the in-form Lancashire club a fifth consecutive league win at Christie Park.

United's impressive goalkeeper Matt Baker, however, pulled off a vital stoppage-time block from Robbie Talbot.

But Hereford could have snatched victory in the closing seconds. Rob Elmes, who opened the scoring, saw a looping header pushed over the bar by Craig Mawson.

And with the last kick of the game second-half substitute Kristian James blazed a golden opportunity over the top following determined work by striker Steve Piearce.

Director of football Graham Turner admitted he was disappointed the Bulls had not claimed their fourth win this season.

Hereford started brightly. Elmes stabbed wide, Parry forced his way into the Morecambe box but shot weakly at Mawson, and Ian Wright headed Gavin Williams' free kick past an upright.

The visitors continued to create the better openings, with an Elmes header causing problems in the home team's defence.

Hereford lost defensive lynchpin and captain Wright nine minutes before the interval with a groin injury and were given a warning on the stroke of half-time, Stewart Drummond blasting a 25-yard shot inches wide.

The second period was barely two minutes old, however, when the Bulls broke the deadlock. Gavin Williams' right-wing corner found Elmes unmarked at the back post, and he nodded his fifth goal of the season.

Morecambe responded almost immediately, with Baker twice called into action to thwart the dangerous Talbot. An Elmes snapshot struck the outside of Morecambe's left-hand post as an outstanding second half unfolded.

Baker reacted magnificently to tip away Dave McKearney's low drive. But there was little he could do about the resulting 66th minute corner which broke loose to Garry Thompson, who rammed the ball home.

Spurred on by the equaliser, Morecambe pressed forward and Paul Webb hacked a Drummond shot off the goalline after Baker, who was struggling with an injury, fumbled an Andy Fensome cross.

The pressure told when Hereford failed to clear a free kick with 11 minutes left. Ryan Black was denied by Baker but John Norman swooped to put Morecambe in front.

But a battling Hereford responded, and Elmes knocked down a cross from substitute Jake Sedgemore for Parry, who drilled a low shot past Mawson.