STEVE Guinan gave Hereford United the lead from the penalty spot but Leicester skipper Matt Oakley levelled with a ferocious free-kick.

Leicester forced a couple of corners in the opening exchanges.

Both were taken by City skipper Matt Oakley but neither came to anything with Bulls keeper Peter Gulacsi easily gathering the first and Andy King heading the second a long way wide.

Gulacsi showed his quality, though, in the 13th minute with an excellent save at the expense of another corner when Lloyd Dyer fired in a fierce drive.

A couple of other flag-kicks followed without the Hereford defence being unduly troubled on either occasion.

The Hereford attack was kept in check for much of the first 25 minutes but a smart interchange between loan wingers Jennison Myrie-Williams and Marc Pugh allowed the latter to get clear, although his cross was blocked.

Somewhat against the run of play, Hereford took the lead in the 28th minute.

A good pass from Febian Brandy sent Myrie-Williams and his speedy run into the area was halted by a crude challenge from Joe Mattock.

Referee Karl Evans awarded a penalty and Guinan coolly chipped the spot-kick into the top corner of the net.

Six minutes later, Foxes leading scorer was fouled on the corner of the penalty area by Bulls skipper Karl Broadhurst.

With everyone expecting a cross, Oakley whipped in a fierce drive which flew into the corner of the net.

Hereford forced their first corner of the game in first-half injury time but Pugh’s cross came to nothing.