A 55TH-MINUTE strike by Fulham's Mike Conroy meant that Hereford had a fruitless trip to Craven Cottage in their opening Nationwide Division Three match on Saturday. United were generally second best on a hot afternoon, creating few chances and only forcing one corner in the 90 minutes.

The inexperienced line- up, which had three 19- year-olds making their league debuts, showed a number of changes from last season, with only John Brough, Murray Fishlock, Dean Smith, Gareth Stoker and Jamie Pitman surviving from the side which completed the second play-off match against Darlington. Brough and Fishlock were Hereford's best players on a day when it was evident that the team will need time to gel if they are again to be in contention for a play-off spot.

''I was disappointed with the performance,'' said director of football Graham Turner. ''I thought that we defended well, in general, but we still need to add four more players to the squad, with some experience to help out the youngsters.'' Defences held sway in the first 45 minutes when Andy Debont collected shots from Paul Watson and Rod McAree, and a header from Robbie Herrera.

In the 31st minute Quentin Townsend hacked a shot from Simon Morgan off the line after the Fulham skipper collected a weak Debont punch. But six minutes later the Hereford keeper should have had no chance when a Jamie Pitman mis-kick left Michael Mison in the clear. The Fulham midfielder's weak shot was easily gathered, however.

United's best opening came in the 24th minute when Ian Foster showed his pace in a run from the half-way line, but keeper Mark Walton was out quickly to block the youngster's shot.

Later in the half, Foster became the first United player to get a yellow card this season when cautioned for dissent.

The winning goal came when a corner from Watson was allowed to reach the far post by a static Hereford defence and Conroy hit the ball home from close range past a helpless Debont.

After that Fulham produced the best efforts on goal, with Hereford coming closest when Brough met a Stoker free- kick, only to see his header narrowly clear the bar. So Hereford's 25th season in league football began in exactly the same way as their first, with a 1-0 away defeat. If this season is to finish as that distinguished one did, in promotion, then no doubt Graham Turner will be hoping to add further, experienced squad members sooner rather than later.

Hereford: Debont, Norton, Fishlock, Smith, Brough, Townsend, Pitman (Stoker 45 min), Downing (Hargreaves 69 min), A. Foster, I. Foster, Mahon. Sub not used: McStay.

Attendance: 5,277.