HEREFORD FC Head Coach Marc Richards admitted that his side rode their luck before a Tom Owen-Evans strike earned them a 1-1 draw at play-off side Altrincham.

Fifth place Altrincham dominated spells of the match and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd cleared a first half effort of the line before goalkeeper Matt Yates tipped another effort out of the top corner.

Eventually Jordan Hulme fired home the opener after the Bulls failed to close him down.

However, Hereford responded with Owen-Evans picking the ball up in the middle before sliding his 64th minute effort home.

Both sides attempted to get a winner with Altrincham’s Shaun Densmore coming closest but his effort was saved onto the post

“Altrincham are probably the best footballing team in the league and have been on a hell of a run and have probably secured their play-off spot today so a point away from home is a good result,” said Richards.

“It was an okay performance and it is difficult with the way they play with their rotations and how comfortable they are with possession they make it really expansive and difficult for you to have too much of the ball.

“On the flip side they are quite open when you do get possession. We knew this run in would be difficult with Telford and Altrincham so I’m pleased with a point.

“We rode our luck at times in the first half with some great blocks from the lads to keep us in the game and (Matt) Yates has made a great save in the second half as well which has somehow stayed out.

“We have rode our luck but fair play to the lads they have worked their socks off.”

Richards said he is looking to strengthen across the squad during the summer and is looking forward to working with them in pre-season.

“We will try and strengthen in all areas so if the right player becomes availably we will do all we can to make them a Hereford FC player,” added Richards.

“We have had a lot of draws that should have been wins like Ashton, Nuneaton and FC United it is really small margins.

“The points difference isn’t massive between the top half and bottom half but converting three or four of them draws into wins you would be in and around that top 10.

“The way we can counteract that is by getting better players and squads and having an opportunity to work with them pre-season.

“I’m really excited that we will have six or seven weeks leading to the first game of the season. That makes a lot of difference being able to work with those individual as we’ve been having to do it as we go along.

“You only get so much time to work with them. You saw Altrincham today are a group of players who have been together quite a long time where there is an understanding between them and how they play.

“We’ve got a few locked in until the end of next season which is good and at least we have got a nucleus which are guaranteed to be here..

“You can go through the whole team and go if there is a player available that is better than what we’ve got we will consider it. Ultimately we want to put together the best squad we can with the resources we have available.”