Hereford were saved from a third home defeat in the GM Vauxhall Conference League by Northwich defender Wes Simpson whose 82nd- minute own goal levelled the score on Saturday.

A draw was better than nothing for Hereford but it was still two more home points thrown away with a chance to close the gap on leaders Morecambe to two points squandered. For once this season the Bulls had the fillip of an early goal Neil Grayson netted his sixth of the campaign in the second minute.

But, otherwise, it was an all too familiar pattern as far as Hereford were concerned. Another goalkeeping misjudgement cost them a goal, while their attacking play was much too predictable and unimaginative. Yet on three of the handful occasions they managed to pull crosses back from near the by- line, Northwich were in trouble. Two resulted in goals and the other ended in a near miss.

United director of football Graham Turner was far from happy with his side's performance. He said: ''What went on today bore no resemblance to what we work on in training. We played in hope rather than purpose, lacked creativity and were unable to put three passes together. We now have a week without a game and will have to continue to work on what we wish to achieve.''

Turner paraded his new on-loan striker from Chester City, Andy Milner. But, as he had met his new club-mates for the first time only a couple of hours earlier, he understandably had a fairly quiet game. One of United's few swift, incisive moves set up Grayson's early strike. The striker's cross-field pass put Jamie Pitman clear on the right and he surged on into the goalmouth, collected a return pass and slipped past keeper Dean Greygoose to slot the ball into the net.

Soon after Northwich could jusifiably feel aggrieved when Walsall referee Mark Cooper dismissed their appeals for a penalty after Ian Foster had brought down Paul Tait. But in the 35th minute Mr Cooper had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and booking Murray Fishlock when the defender floored Ian Cook. Steve Walters gave Chris MacKenzie no chance with a perfectly placed spot-kick. Six minutes later the referee pointed to the spot at the other end, penalising Dominic Crooks for impeding Grayson. Foster tried to slot the ball into the corner of the net but it did not have the power to beat Greygoose who parried it away for a corner.

Almost on half-time Foster nearly made amends with a fine run and cross to Grayson whose header struck the woodwork.

Hereford dominated the second period play without looking dangerous until the 65th minute when Northwich won a corner. Mackenzie, who returned to the side in place of the injured Andy de Bont, dashed off his line for Derek Ward's flag-kick, got nowhere near the ball and skipper Eddie Bishop planted a header into the net. Only a brilliant reflex save by Greygoose denied Foster an equaliser but in the 82nd minute he was left helpless as Simpson turned Brough's cross past him over the line.

Hereford: MacKenzie, Rodgerson, Brough, Walker, Fishlock (Warner 71 min), Pitman, Mahon (McGorry (62 min), Hargreaves, Milner, Grayson, Foster. Sub not used: Matthewson.

Attendance: 2,207.