Tuesday, August 18, 1999.

STEVE Piearce got off the mark for Hereford United by scoring the equaliser in their 1-1 Nationwide Conference draw with Nuneaton Borough at Edgar Street last night.

Piearce gave the first indication why United director of football Graham Turner signed him on a three-year contact from Halesowen Town when he cancelled out Joe O'Connor's 33rd minute strike for Nuneaton.

Piearce's 45th-minute goal was the product of pace, strength and clinical finishing.

He shrugged off a challenge from Wayne Simpson, left him trailing in his wake and beat former Bulls' keeper Chris Mackenzie with a perfectly-placed ground shot.

He said: "I was pleased from a personal point of view to get off the mark. It was fast and furious out there and I just wish we had come away with the three points."

Turner acknowledged the strength of newly-promoted Nuneaton, saying: "They have brought in a lot of experienced players. They were always a threat in attack and Terry Angus marshalled their defence well."

Turner was disappointed with the way United conceded a goal, however. Andy Ducros robbed Tony James and beat keeper Andy Quy with a shot which hit an upright and rebounded across the goal. But Ducros quickly regained possession and slipped a pass to O'Connor who scored from close range.

Nuneaton put the home defence, in which Paul Sturgess made an effective debut at left-back, under plenty of pressure, but neither MacKenzie or Quy were overworked.

Hereford: Quy 7, Clarke 7, Wright 6, James 6, Sturgess 8, Rodgerson 7 (Hanson 85), Taylor 6, Williams 7, May 6 (Elmes 76), Piearce 7, Fewings 6 (Snape 46, 6).

Star man: Paul Sturgess.

Attendance: 2,551.