Hereford United 0 Milton Keynes Dons 0 HEREFORD showed welcome depths of commitment and energy to bring their run of four defeats to an end in League 2.

Against Dons, who have serious ambitions of securing at least a play-off spot and perhaps an automatic promotion place, Hereford battled for every ball to deservedly earn the point which took their season's tally to the significant landmark of 50.

Hereford's display certainly came as a surprise to Dons boss Martin Allen.

"The scouting reports that I have had on Hereford do not really reflect what I have seen," said the former Barnet and Brentford chief.

"The way they ran for every ball, fought for every ball, challenged and tackled - I'm sure their manager must be delighted with them because none of my scouting reports echoed that.

"It was a tough game for us."

Hereford youngster Andy Williams was pleased that the side had finally ended a depressing sequence that had ended their outside chance of a play-off place.

"We have been a bit disappointed with the last few performances that we have put in and we wanted to try to get something from this game," he said.

"We worked really hard today and although we couldn't break them down at the back, where they were quite solid, we managed to grind out a point. "Conditions were hard - the pitch was very bobbly and the wind affected the game a bit but I think we passed it around quite well considering, although we couldn't quite create a goal in the final third."

Williams had Hereford's best effort of the first-half when his well-struck left-foot shot from 20 yards fizzed narrowly over the angle of post and bar on 22 minutes.

But Hereford had an escape 15 minutes later.

Williams deflected a Jon-Paul McGovern shot out for a corner and, from Dean Lewington's flag-kick, Drissa Diallo got in a header which was flying towards the back of the net until Luke Webb got in the way to clear off the line.

With direct efforts on goal at a premium, the match's goalless destiny was effectively sealed at the start of the second period by the two goalkeepers who each produced a fine save in the space of three minutes.

After 52 minutes, Hereford were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area but, although Danny Thomas drilled his shot around the wall, Dons keeper Lee Harper swooped to grasp the shot by his right-hand post.

Fine save as that was, it was surpassed by Wayne Brown's effort three minutes later.

Jude Stirling, who had caused Hereford problems with his huge, long throws when playing for Peterborough before Christmas, again troubled United in a similar fashion after appearing as an early substitute for the Dons.

It was from one of these efforts that the ball was half-cleared to Dons skipper Keith And-rews and his crisply-hit volley seem-ed a certain goal until Brown flew through the air to touch the ball around a post for a corner.

"He has been doing that for us for a couple of years now and that was a great save to keep us in the game," said Wil-liams.

There were only a few chances at both ends after that but defences ended on top to ensure that the sides shared the spoils.

Hereford: Brown; Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Purdie; Williams, Webb, Smith, Thomas; Guinan, Connell. Subs not used: Thompson, Gulliver, Sills, Palmer, Rose.

Milton Keynes Dons: Harper; Smith (Stirling, 23 min), Diallo, O'Hanlon, Lewington; Edds (Hayes, 87 min), Blizzard, Andrews, McGovern; McLeod (Knight, 64 min), Platt. Subs not used: Watts, Baines.

Referee: David Foster (Tyne & Wear).

Attendance: 2,715.

Yellow cards: MK Dons - Lewington, foul, 72 min; Edds, foul, 85 min.