HEREFORD United extended their goalless run to five matches with a no-score draw against promotion-contenders Swindon Town at Edgar Street.

However, it took an exceptional display by Robins goalkeeper Phil Smith to prevent the Bulls from breaking a duck which stretches back to the 3-2 defeat at Hartlepool on March 3.

The former Crawley Town stopper pulled off a string of outstanding first-half saves which prevented United from going on to a comfortable win.

And United, despite easing back in the second period when they also had to survive the bizarre sending-off of Tim Sills 10 minutes from time, were well worth a point.

Even Swindon boss Paul Sturrock admitted: "Hereford should have won."

The Bulls, who announced an unchanged team with the returning Steve Jennings named among the substitutes, tested Smith as early as the third minute.

From a Danny Thomas free-kick, Tamika Mkandawire got in a goalbound header which Smith dived to push around a post.

Then, from Rob Purdie's resulting corner, Andy Williams got in an acrobatic overhead effort which flew just wide.

Smith was in the action again on 12 minutes, diving to hold a shot from Alan Connell, hit crisply on the volley from a Steve Guinan cross.

But the goalkeeper should have had no chance midway through the half when some brilliant skill by Williams saw the youngster evade three tackles to work a shooting position, only to chip his effort wide of the target.

That followed Swindon's best chance of the game, a header by Barry Corr from Christian Roberts' corner which clipped the outside of a post on its way behind.

But it was Hereford who went on to have much the better of the first period and on 39 minutes it was Guinan's turn to be denied by Smith.

The striker, on-loan from Cheltenham Town, found space to meet Purdie's corner with a powerful header but Smith dived to push the ball away.

After half-time, efforts on target were at a premium but the best came from Swindon when Michael Pook's volley from a Roberts cross flew straight into Hereford 'keeper Wayne Brown's arms.

The main talking point of the half came, however, nine minutes from the end of the match with the sending off of Sills.

The striker, who was on the pitch for just five minutes, was cautioned for dissent and referee Paul Melin then whipped out his card a second time before play had even re-started to send the former Aldershot striker on his way.

According to Sills afterwards, he had been pointing to the name on the back of his shirt in response to some typical who are you?' taunting from the Swindon fans after a harmless incident by the corner flag.

For this he received the first caution and the second was for querying this with the official.

Hereford: Brown; Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Purdie; Williams, Webb, Smith, Thomas; Guinan (Sills, 76 min), Connell (Palmer, 76 min). Subs not used: Thompson, Rose, Jennings.

Attendance: 4,740