HEREFORD produced another solid defensive display to move a point nearer promotion and ensure Dons must wait until at least Saturday to open their own champagne for going up.

Boss Graham Turner announced an unchanged Bulls team tonight following their 1-0 win at Darlington on Saturday.

Both sides jockeyed for position in midfield in the opening phase as the two goalkeepers had to be content with a watching brief.

Hereford's Wayne Brown was the first to be called into action, safely fielding a powerful 25-yarder from Jemal Johnson.

Shortly afterwards, Brown produced an excellent tip-over when Johnson let fly with another thunderbolt. Hereford continued to play neat football and Simon Johnson forced their first corner on 24 minutes.

It nearly brought an opening goal with Clint Easton's assist met by Gary Hooper whose header was deflected inches wide for another flag-kick.

Danny Swailes fired a 25-yarder just over for the home side before Hooper picked up a needless booking for a handling offence.

Hooper then had the ball in the Dons net after running on to a Toumani Diagouraga pass but was ruled offside.

With play moving rapidly from end to end, Hooper drove a fierce shot just wide in the lead-up to half-time.

Dons stepped up the pace at the start of the second period and Brown pulled off a fine save from Alan Navarro's low shot.

Then, for the first time, Dons opened up the Bulls defence and Lloyd Dyer was left with a shooting chance 15 yards out. But, with only Brown to beat, the midfielder blazed over.

Hereford still had dangerous moments on the break and Steve Guinan might have chosen a better option when he tried to pick out Theo Robinson rather than playing an easier pass to Johnson. Dons were quickly back on the attack, though, and this time it was Diagouraga to Hereford's rescue, blocking a Mark Wright shot on the line.

Easton then forced Willie Gueret into a rare save, the big keeper pulling down a free-kick from under the bar.

After that, there were a few more thrills at each end before both sides had to settle for a point.

Hereford: Brown; McClenahan, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Rose; Johnson, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton; Guinan (Taylor 79), Hooper (Robinson 59). Subs not used: Esson, Collins, Gwynne.

MK Dons: Gueret, Stirling, Lewington, Andrews, O'Hanlon, Dyer, Wilbraham, Miles (Gallen 87), Navarro, Johnson (Wright 59), Swailes. Subs not used: Abbey, Regan, Hadfield.

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

Attendance: 11,420.