Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Hereford United 0.

HEREFORD finally picked up their first point of the season on away territory with a hard-fought draw at the Withdean Stadium.

But the Bulls, with a little more conviction, might well have returned with all three points from a Brighton side who have yet to win at home after six league matches.

Hereford boss Graham Turner sprang something of a surprise by handing Sam Gwynne a first League 1 start.

Gwynne got the nod ahead of Ben Smith to replace the suspended Stephen O’Leary.

Clint Easton also earned a recall to play on the left of midfield with Kris Taylor moving inside to play alongside Toumani Diagouraga.

Brighton forced the early pace but a couple of early corners came to nothing.

The home side’s Dean Cox then brought a comfortable save from keeper Darren Randolph with a 20-yard shot.

Hereford took some time to emerge as an attacking force but, after 15 minutes, Taylor’s shot was deflected over for a corner.

Then Andy Williams showed some neat skill as he dribbled into the Brighton area only to lose control at the vital moment.

Brighton hit back and a long ball over the top saw Glenn Murray brought down by Karl Broadhurst on the edge of the area.

Broadhurst was relieved to escape with a yellow card and Matt Richards’ free-kick was blocked by the Hereford wall.

An error by Richard Rose let in Glenn Murray as Brighton continued to press but Randolph came to Hereford’s rescue with a fine, low save.

Williams, who showed plenty of willingness to run at the home defence, forced a save from Michel Kuipers with a shot from the edge of the area.

But the on-loan striker should have done better when he was sent free by Steve Guinan’s well-judged pass only to be dispossessed by Adam El-Abd.

Hereford made a lively start to the second period with Guinan and Williams linking well in attack.

On 56 minutes, an excellent cross by Guinan caused panic in the Brighton defence but Taylor’s overhead shot missed the target by a yard.

Taylor then flashed a 20-yard free-kick just over as Hereford kept up the pressure.

A couple of substitutions revived the home side and Randolph did well to tip a Murray cross-shot behind for a corner.

But Hereford continued to have their fair share of the play and only a fine save nby Kuipers prevented Taylor’s 25-yard free-kick from nestling in the top corner.

From Gwynne’s flag-kick, Bruno N’Gotty’s header was deflected behind for another corner.

The former France international, whose partnership with Broadhurst had done much to keep Brighton at bay, was caught out shortly afterwards by Anyinsah.

The former Hereford loanee raced on but sliced his shot well wide.

Anyinsah then had penalty appeals waved away after he went tumbling in the area.

Hereford’s attacking threat diminished as the game went on, but substitutes Nick Chadwick and Bradley Hudson-Odoi both had shots blocked when either might have found the net.

Hereford: Randolph; Jackson, N’Gotty, Broadhurst, Rose; Gwynne, Diagouraga, Easton, Taylor; Williams (Chadwick, 83 min), Guinan (Hudson-Odoi, 83 min). Subs not used: Samson, Beckwith, Smith,.

Brighton: Kuipers, Whing (McLeod, 61 min), El-Abd, Hawkins, Richards, Anyinsah, Savage, Thomson, Cox (Thornton, 60 min), Murray, Virgo. Subs not used: Livermore, Robinson, Fraser.

Referee: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 5,608 (316 from Hereford).

Yellow cards: Hereford – Broadhurst, 20 min, foul; Diagouraga, 55 min, foul; Brighton – El-Abd, 65 min, foul.