A DEBUT goal from new loan signing Jonathan Cross secured a deserved point which took Hereford one place up the Third Division table into 21st position.

Street from Second Division Wrexham for a month. Aged 21, he can play either as a striker or in a midfield role and has played over 100 Football League matches for Wrexham, scoring 20 league and cup goals. He opened his account for United in the 58th minute to equalise Noel Blake's 11th- minute goal.

Former Exeter striker Adrian Foster intercepted a terrible pass from City defender Neil Richardson and unleashed a powerful shot which Ashley Bayes could only palm away. Cross reacted quickly to pounce and fire the ball into the net from close range. United's current vulnerability to corners was exploited again when City went ahead.

John Sharpe floated the flag- kick to veteran defender Blake who won the ball in the air and saw his header take a deflection before sailing out of Andy DeBont's reach. Five minutes later only a brilliant save by Bayes denied David Norton an equaliser. United continued to stroke the ball around effectively and Bayes brought off further fine saves from Gary Cook and Adrian Foster.

Hereford could consider themselves unlucky to be one down at half-time but, despite enjoying most of the possession, their scoring attempts at the start of the second half were confined to a long-range effort from Cook. In an Exeter breakaway Leon Braithwaite was presented with a clear-cut opening but DeBont denied him with an excellent save.

After Cross's equaliser the Grecians piled on the pressure in the closing stages but could not get the better of a solid United defence.

Hereford: DeBont, Norton, Brough, Smith, Matthewson, Warner, Cook, Stoker, Cross, A. Foster, Hargreaves. Subs not used: Law, Preedy, I. Foster.

Attendance: 2,189.