HEREFORD FC recovered from defeat in the FA Cup last weekend to earn a deserved point at Alfreton Town.

In a game with few clear-cut chances, the Bulls came closest to breaking the deadlock when Ahkeem Rose found the back of the net in the 73rd minute but the goal was ruled out for offside by the linesman's flag.

Paul Caddis’ side started the match on the front foot, with Rose sending a fizzing effort from outside the box inches over the crossbar in the second minute.

The hosts, fresh from a win over Kidderminster, were awarded a free-kick on 14 minutes after Liam Waldock was brought down but Aaron Chapman saved the subsequent driven effort.

The Bulls responded in the 36th minute when a driving run from Yusifu Ceesay saw him send a searching cross into the box for Andy Williams but the ball narrowly evaded the striker.

Ceesay was involved in Hereford’s best move of the half when he beat his marker on 44 minutes before cutting inside and releasing a flying effort that needed saving by host goalkeeper George Willis.

Alfreton looked to capitalise when Kyle Howkins misjudged a long ball forward at the start of the second half, but Waldock’s effort was unable to trouble Chapman in the Bulls’ goal.

Hereford thought they had found a breakthrough on 73 minutes when Rose slotted the ball into the net, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside, with the striker booked for his protests.

The visitors continued to push for a winner, with Tate Campbell finding space on the edge of the area to fire a dipping shot inches over the crossbar with 13 minutes of normal time to go.

A counter-attack from the Bulls in the 90th minute saw Ceesay find the head of Rose at the near post but he could only send his flicked effort over the bar with time running out.

New signing Ty Deacon almost got his Hereford career off to the perfect start when his run was found in stoppage time but he was unable to direct his shot past the outstretched leg of Willis.

This weekend Hereford are back on the road when they travel to Buxton for a re-arranged National League North match. Hereford’s original home tie against Scunthorpe has been moved until Tuesday, November 19.

Hereford: Chapman, Robinson, Howkins, Preston, Hudson, Ceesay, D'Ath, Campbell, Rooney, Williams (Deacon 62), Rose

Unused subs: Teixeira, Tilt, Babos, Matwasa