ALTHOUGH automatic promotion is by no means a certainty, Hereford United have allowed themselves to look ahead at what next season might hold.

The Bulls guaranteed at least a League Two play-off position with last Saturday's 1-0 victory at Darlington and strengthened their claim for a top three finish with a 0-0 mid-week draw at leaders MK Dons.

A three-point haul against Peterborough United at Edgar Street today would bring the unchartered waters of the third tier of league football even closer.

Hereford know promotion would mean more expenditure but, with the likes of fallen giants Leeds United and Notttingham Forest as potential opponents, believe that won't be a problem.

Edgar Street chief Graham Turner said: "As far as affording that level of football, yes, of course it would be more expensive. Players would expect more money and so the wage bill would go up considerably. But then, obviously, there would be more income.

"There could be three or four reasonably local matches in Bristol Rovers, Swindon, Cheltenham and, possibly, Walsall.

"There is the prospect of Leeds or Nottingham Forest, or both, still being in the division next season.

"There is also the prospect of a big Championship club such as Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City or Coventry City, so there is a potentially massive increase in away support."