HEREFORD FC concluded their pre-season preparations with a goalless draw against League Two side Newport County.

Despite sitting two divisions below their visitors a new-look Hereford defence stood firm and when they were breached Aaron Chapman was on hand to save.

The Bulls had chances of their own with the best of them falling for debutant Montel Gibson who had his one-on-one effort saved seconds into the second half.

“I was really pleased and proud of the group,” said Hereford boss Paul Caddis. “I thought that we worked extremely hard. We knew that Newport would have a lot of possession, they’re a full-time team.

“It’s hard enough playing against full-time teams, never mind one that’s two levels above with aspirations to try and get out of that league.

“I thought we were really good in our shape, worked extremely hard, communication was good and I thought that we had decent chances as well.

“It wasn’t as though we were constantly camped in, I thought we matched them really well.”

Newport have had a mixed pre-season campaign but started on the front foot with Courtney Baker-Richardson sending an early effort wide.

New signing and former Leeds United winger Bobby Kamwa then went on a surging run before firing across goal only for goalkeeper Aaron Chapman to tip over.

Kamwa tested the Bulls’ goalkeeper again on the 20th minute with Chapman matching his effort from a tight angle.

Gibson was making his Hereford debut after picking up a minor injury in training and new striker partner Andy Williams sent the ball into his path for the marksman to fire just wide.

The roles were reversed on 26 minutes with Williams sending a curling effort just wide of the target.

New teenage signing Preston Bitemo was also impressing for Hereford and he capitalised on a loose ball before finding Gibson whose effort on the turn was saved.

Kamwa kept probing in the Newport attack and once again cut inside the box before seeing his effort saved well by Chapman.

Hereford’s best chance came seconds from the second half re-start as Kyle Jameson had his pass intercepted by Gibson but was closed down quickly by the Exiles’ goalkeeper.

Minutes later it was Chapman’s turn to come quickly out of his goal to deny a dangerous through ball to Hereford-born Newport skipper Aaron Wildig.

Young Newport substitute Michael Spellman went close to netting a winner nine minutes from time but sent his flicked header across goal just wide.

Hereford debutant defender Sammy Robinson was next to go close but his rifled effort was deflected over when the ball dropped nicely for him outside the box.

Yusifu Ceesay also went close for Hereford late on but saw his low effort well saved with the final kick of the match.

Hereford: Campbell, Hudson, Campbell, D'Ath, Gibson, Babos, Williams, Bitemo, Matwasa, Robinson, Howkins

Subs: Trialist x2, Skinner, Tilt, Derricott, Rooney, Teixeira, Ceesay