PAUL Fewings was a hero turned villain for Hereford in the Nationwide Conference draw against high-riding Kidderminster on Monday.

The United striker put his side ahead in the sixth minute and then missed a penalty after Harriers had equalised with a 69th-minute goal from Stewart Hadley.

Afterwards Fewings apologised to Hereford fans for his 83rd-minute spot-kick which was saved by keeper Tim Clarke who made amends for a blunder which led to the Bulls taking the lead.

The Bulls' nominated penalty taker for the match was central defender Tony James but he was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the 20th minute.

Fewings said: "All I can say is sorry. I felt I had the confidence to step up and take it. Usually in training I put them away, but I thought the keeper was maybe a bit lucky getting it off his studs. With only a few minutes left, if I'd have put it away we'd have won, so I'm gutted for the lads and everyone else."

He now hopes to make up for his penalty failure when the Bulls travel to meet Kidderminster on Monday, January 3.

Hereford director of football Graham Turner said: "On the balance of play we had more chances, but we needed a second goal to make the game safe. We didn't play anywhere near as well defensively as we did in our cup game at Leicester and at times we were sloppy on the ball."

Kidderminster boss Jan Molby said: "I thought we did well. We weren't at our best, but I still thought we dominated the game. It was a committed local derby."

The result nudged Kidderminster into third spot in the table, three points behind new leaders Rushden & Diamonds.

Watched by their biggest league gate of the season - the 4,437 included 1,144 away fans - 12th-placed Hereford got off to a flying start when Mark Taylor and Gavin Williams combined for John Snape to send over a cross which was dropped by Clarke, allowing Fewings to notch his 12th goal of the season.

James Wall came on when James was injured and within a minute of the substitution Fewings missed an excellent chance to make it 2-0 when he lost control at a crucial moment to allow Clarke to save.

After the interval Kidderminster slowly began to make more of an impression and in the 69th minute they equalised through Hadley. He knocked the ball in after a shot from former Hereford campaigner Ian Foster had rebounded off a post.

After a goal-bound header from Rob Elmes had been cleared by Ian Clarkson, the Bulls missed their chance of going back in front when Harriers keeper Clarke dived the wrong way but saved Fewings' penalty with an outstretched foot.

The penalty was awarded when Adie Smith was adjudged to have handled an Ian Rodgerson shot.

During the match there were bookings for Hereford's Wright and Fewings and Kidderminster's Bennett.

Hereford: Jones, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, James (Wall 20 min), Parry (Rodgerson 61 min), Taylor, Elmes, Williams, Fewings (May 84 min). Subs not used: Rudall, Clarke.

Kidderminster: Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb, Hinton, Smith, Bennett, Skovbjerg, Hadley, Foster (Druce 78 min), Peterson. Subs not used: Hines, Brock, King, Taylor.

Referee: S Tanner (Bristol).

Attendance: 4,437.