AN 89th minute goal by recent signing Clinton Thomas made it a disappointing start to United's holiday programme at wet and windy Aggborough on Boxing Day.

The 20-year-old substitute, who joined Harriers recently from Evesham where he also netted against United in a pre-season friendly last July, fired past Andy Quy just when it seemed as though honours would remain even.

Hereford hardly deserved to lose the game, but neither did they deserve to win on a day when they failed to force home goalkeeper Stuart Brock into one meaningful save.

The nearest Hereford came to scoring was when Martin Weir, under pressure from Gavin Williams, headed against his own cross-bar 15 minutes from time.

Hereford's line-up once again had to be re-shaped after injury, illness and suspension respectively ruled out Matt Clarke, Richard Leadbeater and John Snape.

On a positive note, Robbie Dennison was fit to return after three weeks on the injured list but neither he nor Paul Parry were able to get down the wings and provide the crosses for Mark Druce and Williams to threaten the home goal.

United's best moment of the first half did however come from the flanks when Chris Lane's cross was bundled into the net by Williams. The cheers of the Hereford fans behind the goal soon subsided, though, when the referee ruled that the young striker had fouled Brock in the process.

Hereford battled against the wind for the first 45 minutes, but when it was to their advantage in the second period they had to give second best to Harriers in terms of chances created.

Tony James did well to block a goal-bound effort from Jon Purdie, who shortly afterwards saw a powerful 20-yarder fisted away by Quy.

When Thomas replaced ex-Bull Leroy May after 62 minutes, his height posed an added threat and Quy had to move quickly to hack the ball away after the youngster and Ian Arnold cut through the Hereford defence.

Nevertheless, with goal attempts at a premium at both ends, it still came as a surprise when Thomas found the decisive late strike.

"We should have come away today with at worst a goalless draw," said United boss Graham Turner. "But we're paying the penalty for a lack of continuity caused by injury and suspension."

HEREFORD: Quy, Lane, Parry, Downing, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Taylor, Williams, Druce, Dennison (sub Dyer, 85 mins). Subs not used: Cross and Shirley.