HEREFORD United had much the better of play in securing a draw at unbeaten Barnet.

Manager John Trewick decided on a change of tactics for the visit to Underhill.

The Bulls chief opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Keith Lowe and Ryan Valentine deployed as wing-backs.

Craig King played in an advanced midfield role behind the front duo of Gavin McCallum and Leon Constantine.

Hereford forced the first corner of the game after seven minutes but the strong wind made the early play scrappy.

The Bulls, playing against the wind, carved out their first true opening after 20 minutes.

Darren Jones picked out Valentine on the left and his cross found King, but the teenager’s header flew a long way wide.

King then chested down into the path of Constantine whose 30-yarder flashed narrowly over.

Barnet, although having the wind advantage, were against the considerable slope and struggled to create much in the opening half-hour.

From a 34th-minute free-kick, however, Ismael Yakubu prodded Kenny Gillet’s cross wide.

Hereford forced the first save of the match as King’s effort, after a neat Constantine flick, brought a diving parry from Jake Cole.

Moments later, Edrissa Sonko’s 20-yard drive flew narrowly wide.

At the start of the second period, Valentine’s corner almost crept in at the near post before being bundled behind.

Hereford had a good shout for a penalty when McCallum, racing on to a Lowe pass, was brought down in the area.

Barnet, who had been pressed back in the half’s early stages, then broke out with a shot from veteran Micah Hyde which cleared the bar.

Hereford produced a fine 68th-minute move with Sonko and Kenny Lunt setting up Constantine who shot high over from the edge of the area.

Barnet were using the slope only sparingly but Paul Furlong fired wide after useful approach play by Albert Adomah and Ahmed Deen.

Hereford were continuing to look the more dangerous side and McCallum, their best player on the day, headed a Valentine cross just wide.

The visitors had the ball in the net five minutes from time but McCallum’s effort, flicking in Darren Jones’ shot, was offside.

Keeper Adam Bartlett, who had little to do, saved well from Albert Jarrett in the closing stages to ensure a deserved point for the Bulls.

Hereford: Bartlett, Green (Rose, 84), Jones, Blanchett, Lowe, Lunt, King, Sonko, Valentine, Constantine, McCallum. Subs not used: Adamson, Gwynne, Pugh, Godsmark, Done, Marshall.

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands).

Attendance: 1,965.