HEREFORD'S fighting spirit was very much in evidence at the New Recreation Ground as the Bulls picked up an important point for their promotion push.

Things had looked bleak for United at the interval after the lively home side had surged into a two-goal lead.

But Hereford struck back with goals from centre-backs Tamika Mkandawire and Dean Beckwith to snatch a well-deserved point.

Hereford boss Graham Turner made four changes after the LDV Vans Trophy exit at Macclesfield.

Wayne Brown resumed in goal in place of Craig Mawson, Rob Purdie took over in central midfield from Jamie Pitman, new signing Nicky Nicolau was included for his debut in place of Craig Stanley and Adam Stansfield lined up alongside Guy Ipoua in place of Danny Carey-Bertram.

As it turned out, however, Carey-Bertram's spell on the sidelines was limited to just 24 minutes as Ipoua was forced out of the action by a calf injury which threatens his participation against Cambridge United at Edgar Street tomorrow (7.45pm).

Ipoua's injury was one of three first-half blows to United who looked well out of contention at the break.

Four minutes after Ipoua's departure, the pacy home attack cut through the United rearguard to open the scoring.

Michael Kightly's pass sent Gary Hooper scurrying to the bye-line to drag the ball back for Aaron McLean to drive his shot past Wayne Brown.

It was the perfect riposte from McLean whose every touch had been enthusiastically booed by the United fans who well remembered his involvement in Andy Tretton's sending-off in the play-off defeat by Aldershot two seasons back.

Carey-Bertram seemed sure to level on 39 minutes but, after excellent work by Nicolau, Stansfield and Andy Williams to set him up, his shot was brilliantly blocked by goalkeeper Ashley Bayes. Two minutes later, Hereford were made to pay when Stuart Thurgood's shot from a 20-yard free-kick deflected off a defender's boot into the corner of the net.

Things might have got even worse midway through the second period when a woefully-weak back-header by the otherwise impressive Simon Travis was seized on by Hooper. The home forward raced clear but drove his shot over the goal when faced by the advancing Brown.

Four minutes later, Hereford were back in the game with a bullet header from skipper Mkandawire.

Nicolau was fouled on the left, and although his first effort was cleared, Alex Jeannin swung in an excellent cross for the Bulls centre-back to power home an unstoppable header. Brown then did superbly to block John Martin's effort as the home midfielder raced in on goal and also saved well from a Hooper header.

But the equaliser that Hereford's overall play merited arrived 10 minutes from time.

Carey-Bertram forced a corner on the right and Jeannin swung the ball in for Beckwith to meet it with a downward header which bounced up into the roof of the net.

Hereford: Brown, Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Williams, Purdie, Ferrell, Nicolau, Stansfield, Ipoua (Carey-Bertram, 24 mins). Subs not used: Mawson, Green, James, Stanley.

Referee: Darren Cann (Norfolk).

Attendance: 1,528.