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BRISTOL ROVERS (home) 26/12/06 Hereford’s winless run at Edgar Street stretched to four matches after an entertaining goalless Boxing Day draw with Bristol Rovers. The Bulls could, and perhaps should, have been in front by half time were it not for a clutch of fine saves from Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips. Credit should be given to the Pirates though for not being content to settle for a point - as several sides visiting Edgar Street in the last few months have done - and forcing Wayne Brown into a few good saves of his own. United could have taken the lead within two minutes when a clever flick into the box released Rob Purdie. The midfielder’s cross-shot beat Phillips and was destined for Tim Sills’ feet until Hereford’s play-off goalscoring hero Ryan Green - who received a less than rapturous reception on his return to Edgar Street - slid in to take the ball away from the striker and out for a corner. Although both sides were committed to attacking, all too often the final pass would be a poor one. Stuart Nicholson shot wide for Rovers and, from a corner, Wayne Brown produced a fine reflex save to turn over an Andy Sandell header. Phillips was the busier keeper however, producing a hat-trick of saves to keep out Alan Connell. The first from a header was routine, with Connell failing to put enough power into his effort, and another forced the Pirates’ custodian into a smart save low down. Phillips saved his best until last. Phil Gulliver flicked on Andy Ferrell’s speculative lob into Connell’s path, and his first-time shot was superbly turned behind by a fully-stretched goalkeeper. At the other end, Purdie was caught dithering on the ball by Craig Disley. However, having won the ball, and with all the time in the world to come up with a shot, the midfielder shanked his effort well wide. Rovers’ top scorer, Richard Walker, was kept quiet in the first half by Tamika Mkandawire, but was a little more prominent after the break. He played in strike partner Nicholson with a fine through-ball, only to be denied by an excellent tackle from Simon Travis. Nicholson came closer later on, shooting inches wide from twenty yards. With Purdie pushed further forward to accommodate the returning Trent McClenahan, the Bulls’ back line looked in even finer shape than they have done recently, reducing Rovers to few attempts at goal. However the visiting defence looked on equally top form, with Byron Anthony especially impressive. It was Anthony that came close to giving Rovers the lead, heading over from one of several corners that the visitors won. Disley presented Hereford with two dangerous set pieces after two fouls, but on both occasions Sills wasted the chances that followed, once with the foot and again with a header that both went wide. With Sills enduring a torrid time in front of goal, it was something of a surprise that when the Hereford management finally brought on another striker in the form of Stuart Fleetwood, they elected to replace the hard-working Connell, who had looked the Bulls’ most likely goal threat. Nevertheless it was the visitors that came closest to snatching all three points with two late gilt-edged chances. Substitute Rickie Lambert was released by an intelligent pass from Walker, only for Brown to stick out a hand at point-blank range and keep the ball out. Then in injury time Walker set up another chance after beating the attention of Gulliver, playing the ball out wide to the overlapping Green. Despite his historic winning goal in the play-off final, the full-back was never renowned as a goalscorer, and it was with little surprise that the Welshman hammered his shot into the side netting. A goalless draw always looked on the cards between two of the lowest-scoring sides in League Two. Hereford will be pleased with a second consecutive clean sheet - having been made to work for it - but the lack of goals going in at the other end is still a major concern. With half the season gone however the Bulls look as though they will comfortably retain Football League status come the end of the season. Graham Turner will have to spend wisely when the transfer window opens next week if Hereford are to aim for anything higher than that. Team: Brown, McClenahan, Mkandawire, Gulliver, Rose, Travis, Ferrell, Purdie, Webb, Sills, Connell (sub Fleetwood). Subs not used: Thompson, Sheldon, Giles, Jeannin. Star man: Andy Ferrell
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