Hereford United will be looking to put the disappointment of the past two seasons behind them when they get their Nationwide Conference programme underway on Saturday.

The Bulls have finished in runners-up spot on two successive occasions, only to be eliminated at the semi-final stage in the end-of-season play-offs.

But this season, United are the bookmakers' favourites, at odds as short as 4/1 in some quarters, to take the championship this year.

So Graham Turner's men will be hoping that this Saturday's opening fixture against Scarborough at Edgar Street will be the first step on the way to the title which so narrowly eluded them two seasons ago, when they were pipped by Chester by just a single point.

Saturday's clash with Scarborough is followed by trips to relegated Cambridge United and Crawley Town with Grays Athletic the next visitors to Edgar Street on August Bank Holiday Saturday.

September looks like being a tricky month with visits to Stevenage Borough and Aldershot Town, two of last season's other play-off sides, in addition to a tough trip to Halifax.

The Festive period provides local derby encounters with Forest Green Rovers with the eagerly-awaited visit from Kidderminster Harriers coming on March 25.

On paper at least, Hereford have an easier run-in than in some recent years with their last four fixtures against sides, Altrincham, Tamworth, Southport and York, who are unlikely to be challenging for top honours.