HEREFORD United finally picked up their first point of the season on away territory with a hard-fought draw at the Withdean Stadium.

But the Bulls, with a little more conviction, might well have return-ed with all three points from a Brighton side who have yet to win at home after six league matches.

Hereford boss Graham Turner sprang something of a surprise by handing Sam Gwynne a first Leag-ue One start.

He got the nod ahead of Ben Sm-ith to replace the suspended Steph-en O’Leary.

Clint Easton also earned a recall to play on the left of midfield with Kris Taylor moving inside to play alongside Toumani Diagouraga.

Brighton forced the early pace but a couple of early corners came to nothing.

The home side’s Dean Cox then brought a comfortable save from keeper Darren Randolph with a 20-yard shot.

Hereford took some time to emerge as an attacking force but, after 15 minutes, Taylor’s shot was deflected over for a corner.

Then Andy Williams showed some neat skill as he dribbled into the Brighton area only to lose control at the vital moment.

The Seagulls hit back and a long ball over the top saw Glenn Murray brought down by Karl Broadhurst on the edge of the area.

Broadhurst was relieved to escape with a yellow card and Matt Richa-rds’ free-kick was blocked by the Hereford wall.

An error by Richard Rose let in Murray as Brighton continued to press but Randolph came to Hereford’s rescue with a fine, low save.

Williams, who showed plenty of willingness to run at the home defence, forced a save from Michel Kuipers with a shot from the edge of the area.

But the on-loan striker should have done better when he was sent free by Steve Guinan’s well-judged pass only to be dispossessed by Adam El-Abd.

Hereford made a lively start to the second period with Guinan and Williams linking well in attack.

On 56 minutes, an excellent cross by Guinan caused panic in the Brighton defence but Taylor’s overhead shot missed the target by a yard.

Taylor then flashed a 20-yard free-kick just over as Hereford kept up the pressure.

A couple of substitutions revived the home side and Randolph did well to tip a Murray cross-shot beh-ind for a corner.

But Hereford continued to have their fair share of the play and only a fine save by Kuipers prevented Taylor’s 25-yard free-kick from nestling in the top corner.

From Gwynne’s flag-kick, Bruno N’Gotty’s header was deflected behind for another corner.

The former France international, whose partnership with Broadhu-rst had done much to keep Brig-hton at bay, was caught out shortly afterwards by Joe Anyinsah.

The former Hereford loanee raced on but sliced his shot well wide.

Anyinsah then had a penalty app-eal waved away after he went tumbling in the area.

Hereford: Randolph; Jackson, N’Gotty, Broadhurst, Rose; Gwynne, Diagouraga, Easton, Taylor; Williams (Chadwick 83), Guinan (Hudson-Odoi 83). Subs not used: Samson, Beckwith, Smith.

Brighton: Kuipers, Whing (McLeod, 61 min), El-Abd, Hawkins, Richards, Anyinsah, Savage, Thomson, Cox (Thornton 60), Murray, Virgo. Subs not used: Livermore, Robinson, Fraser.

Referee: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 5,608 (316 from Hereford).