Hereford left Northwich rueing a succession of missed chances which prevented them from gaining a second successive Nationwide Conference away win.

The Bulls, who did at least extend their run to five Conference games without defeat, had much the better of play against a Northwich side clearly licking their wounds from a 6-0 drubbing at title contenders Rushden & Diamonds the previous week.

United played some good football in the first half but their excellent approach work was not translated into goal-scoring opportunities.

And when the chances did arrive, particularly in the game's final 20 minutes, goalkeeper Malcolm Rigby, Northwich's player of the month in January, was in excellent form and foiled a succession of attacks.

The best Hereford chance came on 72 minutes when a long through ball from Paul Sturgess found Leroy May, a second-half substitute for Robin Elmes, apparently several yards offside.

The officials, however, waved play on, much to the amazement of the home supporters, and May seemed certain to break the deadlock as he bore down on the Vics goal.

But the former Kidderminster striker took too long to decide what to do with his gilt-edged opening and Rigby raced from his line to smother the ball.

Just six minutes later, the other Hereford substitute, Paul Fewings, also went close to opening the scoring when he found space in the six-yard box to get his head to a fine cross from Paul Parry.

But Rigby pushed out the effort and May, in his attempt to force the loose ball home, fouled the goalkeeper. To add insult to injury, he was shown the yellow card for his trouble.

Parry, who was a constant threat on the Hereford left wing, then set up another opportunity for midfielder John Snape.

Snape, an industrious performer throughout, did everything right in keeping his shot low and on target, but Rigby blocked the ball to safety with his legs.

On-loan goalkeeper Scott Cooksey papered over some confusion in the Hereford defence by saving from Michael Holt three minutes from time.

But the last clear-cut opportunity of the game went to May, who looped a header from a Chris Lane cross over Rigby only to see his effort land on top of the net.

Hereford: Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, White, Rodgerson, Taylor, Elmes (May 46 mins), Williams (Fewings 77 mins), Parry Subs not used: Jones, Clarke, Hanson.

Northwich: Rigby, Birch, Bates, Walker, Robertson (Simpson 88 mins), Devlin, Bailey, Owen, Milner (Cooke 77 mins), Holt (Gray 89 mins), Vicary. Subs not used: Crookes, Terry.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Leeds)

Attendance: 1,104.