Hereford picked up another valuable point in their battle for Nationwide League survival in this Third Division clash on Monday. Adrian Foster's 50th- minute goal squared matters for United, but they could so easily have earned the other two points after an impressive second-half display when Murray Fishlock hit the bar with a 20-yard free- kick and Dean Smith saw his header hacked off the line by Duane Darby.

All this had been in stark contrast to the first- half display which featured some promising midfield build-ups, let down woefully by misplaced passing when in reach of the Hull penalty area. The first 10 minutes had left the sizeable band of United followers thinking that matters could hardly get any worse for their side. After six minutes some poor Hereford marking allowed centre-back Mark Greaves to come flying in and plant a firm header, from Richard Peacock's corner, past the helpless Trevor Wood.

Three minutes later, Tony Agana, limped off with a hamstring injury. ''I've not played much recently and it seems that two games in three days was too much,'' he said afterwards. As it turned out, Rob Warner came on to play well in midfield and Chris Hargreaves, pushed forward into attack as the former Notts County man's replacement, was United's man-of-the- match.

The United attack struggled to get going in the first half and the best moment came in the 35th minute when Foster cut in from the left and powered in a shot which keeper Steve Wilson could only parry for a defender to complete the clean-up.

Graham Turner's half- time words had the necessary effect as Hereford immediately looked more positive after the break and their reward was not long in coming. Hargreaves made a fine run down the right and Foster's header from the ex-Hull man's cross forced Wilson into a fine save. From the resulting corner the ball finally reached Foster at the back post and he volleyed home from 10 yards. Darby had a good chance to restore the Tigers' lead three minutes later but screwed his shot wide of the post. But, after that, Hereford had most of the play with Foster forcing another good save from Wilson and both Fishlock and Smith being unlucky with their fine efforts.

United's only nervous moments came two minutes from the end when a massive goalmouth scramble saw Smith produce two good blocks and Wood a fine save before the ball was cleared to safety.

Smith, Bradley Sande-man and Trevor Matthew-son were cautioned by referee Brian Coddington.

Hereford: Wood, Norton, Fishlock, Smith, Sandeman, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, A. Foster, Agana (sub Warner 9 mins), Turner. Subs not used: Townsend, Hibbard.

Attendance: 2,818.