MORE rock-solid defending ensured Hereford continued an unbeaten run that now stretches to four Nationwide Conference matches.

Since the home defeat by Grays Athletic three weeks ago, the Bulls have kept four successive clean sheets in two wins and two draws.

Goalkeeper Wayne Brown has yet to experience the act of picking the ball out of his own net since being called up into the team. And Darren Blewitt, who has formed a strong back line with Tony James and Dean Beckwith in those four matches, still does not know what it is like to concede a goal in a Hereford shirt.

The Hereford defence had to be at their best against a Morecambe side which had a good share of the play and, in contrast with their defensive display last year, certainly came for a win.

But the United rearguard did their job so well that Brown had very little to do in terms of shot-stopping, only really being called on in the 38th minute to produce a fine parry from Shrimps' man-of-the-match Wayne Curtis.

The visitors completely dominated the first 20 minutes with the Hereford attack kept out with the exception of a powerful left-foot drive by Jamie Pitman, which cleared the bar in the fifth minute.

But the Bulls gradually re-emerged as an attacking force and Craig Stanley fired just over in the 21st minute.

Stanley thought he had earned a penalty in the 32nd minute when his header from an Andy Ferrell cross hit defender Michael Howard's hand.

Referee Simon Startt, however, waved play on. The official had earlier denied Morecambe what seemed a clear penalty when Alex Jeannin brought down Garry Thompson, giving a free-kick just outside the box when it seemed to most on the ground that the offence took place inside the area.

Good work by Beckwith set up another chance for Stanley in the 35th minute. The defender's fine tackle took the ball off Michael Twiss in his own penalty area and he moved forward to unleash a pass which left Stanley bearing down on goal.

The midfielder's shot beat goalkeeper Ryan Robinson but flashed the wrong side of an upright.

Another midfielder, Ferrell, showed how it should be done on 40 minutes. The former Watford player fired home an excellent volley from the edge of the area after Jeannin's initial effort was only half-cleared.

Early shots from Curtis, Thompson and Garry Hunter flew wide as Morecambe started the second period with a flourish, but much of the action after that was confined to midfield.

The best Hereford effort came on 83 minutes when another rocket from Pitman just cleared the angle of post and bar.

By then, Morecambe were down to 10 men after Chris Blackburn, who had earlier been cautioned for diving, saw yellow again after hacking down Jeannin.

Although reduced in numbers, Morecambe continued to give as good as they got and Hereford were glad to hear the final whistle which confirmed three important points.

HEREFORD: Brown, Purdie, Beckwith, James, Blewitt, Jeannin, Pitman, Stanley, Ferrell, Carey-Bertram (Mkandawire, 87 min), Brady (Williams, 78 min). Subs not used: Mawson, Gwynne.

ATTENDANCE: 2,422.