EMERGENCY striker Bilel Mohsni struck in the first period to consign Hereford to an opening-day reverse.

The Bulls were generally solid in defence but rarely troubled the home rearguard as they were beaten for only the second time in 13 years on the first day of the season.

With Michael Townsend suspended, Bulls boss Jamie Pitman opted for a central-defensive pairing of Stefan Stam and Ryan Green for the trip to Roots Hall.

United gave Rob Purdie his 200th start in a Bulls shirt in a relatively unfamiliar right-back berth.

Last season’s top scorer Stuart Fleetwood was deployed wide on the left with the brief of supporting lone striker Delroy Facey. Joe Colbeck had a similar role on right.

Danny Williams and assistant manager Russell Hoult both signed non-contract agreements before the game to take their places on the substitutes’ bench.

Southend got in the first shot with Jemal Johnson firing wide of an upright inside the first 90 seconds.

Hereford took some time to launch a serious attack but, after six minutes, the Bulls were denied a free-kick when James McQuilkin was brought down as he surged towards the Southend penalty area.

Southend, though, did most of the early pressing and former Millwall striker sent a shot skidding wide on 12 minutes.

And the home side took the lead on 14 minutes when Joe Heath failed to close down Ryan Hall and the midfielder crossed to the far post for Bilel Mhosni to head home.

Southend gained confidence from the early goal and forced two quick corners, both of which were competently dealt with by the Hereford defence.

Hereford, whose disciplinary record was appalling last season, picked up their first needless card of the season when Colbeck was cautioned for kicking the ball away after conceding a free-kick.

Morris in the Southend was having an easy time but a break by Colbeck just failed to set Fleetwood free, although Harry Pell was better placed to receive the pass.

The giant Mohsni went close to adding a second on 27 minutes, powering in a header which Adam Bartlett did well to touch over.

McQuilkin flashed a shot a couple of yards wide as Hereford created a rare chance.

But the Shrimpers were soon back on the attack with Mohsni firing high over from 20 yards.

Bartlett was grateful to be placed in exactly the right position when a bullet of a free-kick from Hall thudded into his arms three minutes before the interval.

And the Bulls were lucky to survive conceding a second just before the break when Jemal Johnson’s shot crept along the goallline and wide.

Hereford were almost caught out early in the second period when, with United forward for their own free-kick, Southend broke away and Neil Harris ghosted in to head over.

Although the Bulls made a promising start to the period, Southend went close with Mark Phillips heading narrowly wide from a free-kick.

Hereford also gained a couple of free-kicks in good positions but wasted the chance on both occasions.

United lost Stam on 65 minutes when he had to leave the field with a cut. The defender re-emerged after a few minutes with a bandage around his forehead.

Arquin was brought on for his debut, in place of Fleetwood, with 19 minutes remaining.

And the Frenchman quickly fired in a shot from distance, although the effort flew well wide.

But only a brilliant double save from Bartlett on 74 minutes denied Harris a debut goal.

Hereford mounted a swift break out and Pell sent Colbeck away for a shot which deflected out for a corner.

Colbeck then had a shot deflected out for another corner after Purdie delivered a free-kick into the area.

As Hereford continued to enjoy good possession, Pell blazed high over from 25 yards.

But another blunder by Heath almost cost a second goal as the defender gifted possession in the area to Mohsni who was only denied by Bartlett’s bravery and swiftness off his line.

Hereford: Bartlett; Purdie, Green, Stam, Heath; Colbeck, Pell, Lunt, McQuilkin, Fleetwood (Arquin 71); Facey. Subs not used: Hoult, Kovacs, Canham, Williams.

Southend: Morris; Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Prosser; Hall, Grant (Ferdinand 90), Kalala, Johnson (Sawyer 77); Harris, Mohsni (Dickinson 90). Subs not used: Bentley, Crawford.

Referee: Carl Berry (Surrey).

Attendance: 5,105 (including 247 from Hereford).

Goals: Mohsni, 14 min, 1-0.

Yellow cards: Hereford – Colbeck, kicking the ball away, 20 min; Heath, foul, 56 min; Fleetwood, foul, 62 min; Southend – Johnson, kicking the ball away, 40 min; Hall, dissent, 46 min.