ALAN Connell's equaliser seven minutes from time brought Hereford a richly deserved point at the Deva Stadium tonight.

The only surprise was that, in extending their unbeaten sequence against Chester to seven matches, the Bulls did not pick up the three points their dominance deserved.

With a blustery wind hampering constructive football, Hereford still had much the better of the first-half action. In the 10th minute, the returning Simon Travis brought the best out of former Kidderminster goalkeeper John Danby with a dipping 25-yarder.

And, in the 23rd minute, a good Rob Purdie run set up a shooting opportunity for Connell but his weakly-hit effort gave Danby few alarms.

At the other end, Bulls 'keeper Wayne Brown, returning to the club he had served for almost a decade, had a relatively quiet first 45 minutes.

His only serious save came from Sean Hessey's 20-yarder, although he could only watch as a fierce Kevin Sandwith drive flashed narrowly over.

Hereford's dominance continued after the interval but their luck was right out on 55 minutes.

Ben Smith let fly from 25 yards but the ball smacked against the bar with Connell's shot from the rebound pushed behind for a corner by Danby.

The 'keeper then pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Connell's 25-yard free-kick.

But, on 70 minutes and against the run of play, Simon Yeo brushed off Tamika Mkandawire to fire Chester ahead.

Justice was done seven minutes from time though when Dean Beckwith headed back Danny Thomas' cross for Connell to hook in the equaliser.

Hereford: Brown; Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith (Rose 90), Purdie; Williams, Jennings, Smith, Thomas; Connell, Guinan. Subs not used: Thompson, Ferrell, Jeannin, Sills.

Attendance: 1,842.