NEW HEREFORD FC striker Lance Smith says can't wait for the season to start after finally making his debut for the club.

The former Evesham United hotshot has been away on holiday, but came off the bench during Saturday's 0-0 friendly at AFC Telford.

Smith said he turned down other clubs before joining Hereford and has set a goals target of at least 20 goals.

"It's tough to say, but it will be around the 20 mark," he said.

"It just depends on how teams do and how much I play.

"The main goal for all of us is at least make the play-offs and do as best as we can.

"I turned down a few teams because it wasn't right.

"But now Hereford is the right choice for me and it's now time for me to test myself and see what I can do.

"I can't wait for the season to start now."

Smith has never played in the Southern Premier League before and knows it will be a higher standard than he is used to.

"It's quicker, but I'm learning and by playing with better players, then hopefully you become better, which is obviously what I'm trying to do.

"It's never easy coming to a new club, but they've made me welcome."

Hereford proved more than a match against their National League North opponents and may have felt they deserved to win after a first half John Mills penalty was saved.

“They didn’t cause us a major problem but we had to defend a lot which is not normal for us to be out of possession for that amount of time,” said Hereford manager Pete Beadle.

“We showed what we are capable of and the performance was a solid one.”

Telford boss Rob Edwards was also impressed with how Hereford played.

"I thought Hereford were excellent and it was a really good game," he said.

"I think they're going to have a fantastic year.

"It gave us a real test and you can tell that by the scoreline and by watching the game."

Hereford had the first opening chance when a well worked move saw Mike McGrath go through inside the box but his shot was saved and Mills saw the ball deflect just pass his path.

Defender Jack Deaman was next to go close for the visitors connecting with a McGrath free-kick but could only head down at the defender.

Telford side responded after 20 minutes and the towering head of Aaron Hayden connected with a free-kick but his effort sailed just wide.

Just as the Bucks looked to get a hold in the game, Purdie played Mills through into the box and he was bundled down by goalkeeper Jas Singh.

Mills stepped up but it was former Gloucester City stopper Singh who had the last say, tipping the low penalty away.

The travelling Bulls fans sensed a scalp for their side and it almost came on the hour when Jimmy Oates rose highest but glanced his header well wide.

Home substitute Matthew Barnes-Homer was nearly handed a fortunate winner when Deaman missed a header and the ball found the marksman but his free header sailed harmlessly into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Curtis Strong was next to go close for Telford nipping in from the wing and rattling the post from a narrow angle with the rebound scrapped away.

The Bulls withstood a period of pressure and almost got their reward with 10 minutes remaining when a Pablo Haysham goalbound shot was deflected just wide off the head of Shane Sutton.

Haysham almost secured the victory in the final seconds as a 30-yard shot was lashed goalwards but rustled the side-netting.

AFC Telford United: Singh, Dunbar, Gough, Hayden (Bailey 79), Sutton, Rea, Dwyer (Strong 68), Fitzpatrick (Royle 62), Marsden, Marsh (Barnes-Homer 54), Newby.

Subs not used: White, Martinez, Shaw, Lilly, Nicholson

Hereford FC: Horsell, Oates, Bowen, Edge, Deaman, Preece, Reffell, McGrath, Mills (Smith 59), Haysham, Purdie (Preen 67)

Subs not used: Harris, Pugh, Hayes, Richards.