Hereford'S Nationwide Conference home season ended as it began, with two points dropped against Lancashire rivals.

Back in August, South-port went away from Edgar Street with a point and since then 10 other sides have managed to share the spoils with the Bulls at their own headquarters.

But on Saturday, as on a number of those other occasions during the campaign, Hereford should certainly have grabbed all the points after being pitted against only 10 men for 84 minutes. And the Bulls also had the added bonus of taking the lead with a 22nd-minute strike from veteran midfielder Ian Rodgerson, his second goal in successive games.

Wolverhampton referee Steve Castle made the afternoon's first impact on the game when he showed the red card to Morecambe's full-back Andy Fensome for dissent after just six minutes.

After this, Hereford had the better of the next period of play and deservedly went in front when Paul Parry's cross deflected into the path of Rodgerson who drove home a right-foot shot from the edge of the area.

But Hereford failed to take further advantage and conceded an equaliser 11 minutes later.

Skipper John Snape, standing in as captain for Ian Wright, stomach injury, lost the ball to Stewart Drummond whose 20-yarder was pushed away for a corner by Scott Cooksey.

When Robbie Talbot delivered the flag-kick, Cooksey failed to gather the ball and Drummond headed in at the back post.

Eight minutes into the second half and the Shrimps were in front.

Phil Robinson, who had assumed Wright's role at the heart of the defence, failed to prevent Colin Hunter from driving in a shot which Cooksey was unable to hold. With Hereford's defence static, Talbot reacted quickly to hammer in the rebound.

With Morecambe doing their best to hold on for what would have been only their second win in 13 Conference games, it took a goal of exceptional quality to earn United a point. Former England striker Steve Bull, a 59th-minute substitute for Jimmy Quiggin, met a dropping ball on the edge of the area with a fierce volley which hit the back of the net almost before Morecambe keeper Mark Smith could make a move to save.

Four minutes into injury time it seemed as if United had snatched an unlikely winner.

Smith made a hash of gathering a high through ball and fell on top of substitute Steve Piearce, with the ball running loose to Rodgerson who gleefully smashed it home.

But, as the Hereford players celebrated, referee Steve Castle disallowed the 'goal' for a foul by Piearce on the keeper.

Hereford: Cooksey, Shirley, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Robinson, James, Quiggin (Bull 59 mins, Piearce 90 mins)), Snape, Elmes, Williams (Giddings 79 mins) Parry. Sub not used: Baker.

Morecambe: M Smith, Fensome, Lyons, McKearney, Hardiker (Swannick 46 mins), Stringfellow, Rigoglioso, Drummond, Talbot (Brown 83 mins), Norman (Murphy 9 mins), Hunter. Subs not used: L Smith, Banks.

Referee: Steve Castle (Wolver-hampton).

Attendance: 1,437.