HEREFORD United are certain of a Nationwide Conference play-off place for the second season in a row after a battling draw at Kingfield.

The Bulls looked assured of a fifth successive away win last night after Danny Carey-Bertram opened the scoring eight minutes from time.

But United fans then had to endure an agonising four minutes of added time after Jon Boardman popped up to level two minutes from the end.

After the arduous programme of recent weeks, Hereford boss Graham Turner took the opportunity to rest Lee Mills and Craig Stanley on the bench.

With Danny Williams sidelined through injury, there were three changes from the side which had faced Halifax.

Brian Smikle, Carey-Bertram and Jamie Pitman were restored to the starting line-up and all played their part in securing the point that Hereford needed to be sure of a top-five finish.

With Woking needing a win to keep their season going, Hereford were expecting to come under pressure and so it proved.

But the Bulls were dangerous on the break and created the best two chances of the first period.

On 15 minutes, Mark Robinson's free-kick from the left flank was picked up by Carey-Bertram.

His low cross flashed into the six-yard box where Adam Stansfield's boot got under the ball to deflect the chance well over.

Then, four minutes before the break, Pitman's free-kick fell to Andy Tretton who hooked the ball inches wide of an upright.

Seven minutes after the interval, Hereford went close again. Robinson's corner was met with a powerful header by Tamika Mkandawire but Steve Evans booted the ball off the line.

With Woking pushing more players forward, pressure grew on the Hereford defence.

Pitman did well to hack away a cross-shot by Raphael Nade from near his goal-line when the home side threatened.

But Hereford largely forced the hosts into long-range efforts and relied on speedy breaks out of defence to deliver their own threat.

And it was from one of these that the goal arrived on 82 minutes.

Substitute Simon Travis raced away down the right before slipping the ball back to Ryan Green.

The full-back's pass sent Stansfield scurrying forward to deliver a powerful cross that was volleyed in by Carey-Bertram at the near post.

But Woking's pressure paid off when Boardman bundled home Ian Selley's corner to just about keep their season alive.

The 457 Hereford supporters had a nail-biting few minutes to endure before referee Bob Desmond's final whistle signalled a successful end to their bid for a play-off place.

Hereford: Mawson 7, Green 7, Mkandawire 8, Tretton 8, Robinson 7, Smikle 6 (Travis 76), Pitman 7, *Hyde 9, Purdie 8, Stansfield 7 (Mills 89), Carey-Bertram 7 (L Williams 85). Subs not used: Scott, Stanley.

Attendance: 3,298.