Peterborough United performed admirably at the back to hold Hereford United to a goal-less draw at Edgar Street with goalkeeper Mark Tyler making a string of superb saves to preserve the point.

Keith Alexander named an unchanged side for the difficult-looking trip to Hereford United while the home side re-instated their two loanee's John Eustace and Neil MacKenzie. The latter had the first effort of the game with his left-foot shot just inside the area deflected wide for a corner kick.

The resulting set-piece was headed over by Mkandawire following a decent in-swinging corner from Eustace. Goalkeeper Mark Tyler was then on hand to push Tim Sill's low effort around the post after Stirling's clearance was intercepted by the on-loan Coventry City midfielder.

Mclean was being booed by the home faithful as they recalled an incident in the play-off semi-final between Grays Athletic and Hereford United earlier in the year when the striker was involved in the dismissal of Hereford defender Andy Tretton.

A huge throw from Stirling was headed wide by Ben Futcher on seven minutes as a few gasps were let out around the stadium as they feared the throw may cause the home side a few problems.

Mkandawire then glanced another Eustace corner kick wide of the target, the second time that the defender had found some room in the Posh six-yard box. A Stirling throw-in was then flicked on by Branston, with Mkandwire heading it wide for a corner as Posh pressed.

On 14 minutes, Hereford were presented with a great opportunity to break the deadlock as Butcher was harried midway through his own half and his pass-back fell to Fleetwood, he took a touch and then fired a low shot towards the corner, but Tyler pushed the effort around the post.

Dean Holden's 30-yard pile-driver deflected off Gulliver for a corner kick on 18 minutes and from the resulting set-piece, Mclean's back header drifted over the crossbar. Futcher was fortunate not to concede an own goal moments later after a fierce left-wing cross from Jeannin caused panic in the Posh back-line.

The dangerous Mkandawire then fired over when the ball dropped loose from the corner as Hereford came close again to making it 1-0. A snap-shot from Connell was comfortably saved by Tyler on 22 minutes as United found some room 25-yards from goal.

Butcher then sent a 25-yard shot over the crossbar after the ball bobbled loose, it was a presentable shooting opportunity for the midfield man, but was leaning back as he struck the shot and couldn't keep it down.

Holden crashed a long-range shot well wide of the target on the half hour mark after Arber's initial corner had only been half-cleared by Beckwith. Less than 60 seconds later, Huke flashed a shot wide after Butcher had dispossessed Eustace in midfield as Posh began to dominate.

The efforts were beginning to rein in on the Hereford goalkeeper Brown with Holden again letting fly, but the left-foot shot was dragged wide of the near post. Tyler made another smart stop to deny Eustace on 37 minutes after Holden miss-timed his tackle in midfield and allowed Connell to thread the ball into the midfield man's path.

Hereford were beginning to put Posh under a bit of pressure now and MacKenzie saw a shot deflected wide by Butcher before Posh nearly caught the hosts cold on the counter attack as Crow turned Purdie, but Beckwith came across from right back to clear the danger.

As the first half drew to a close, Butcher saw a rasping drive fly over the top after Hereford afforded the former Oldham Athletic man room 25-yards from goal.

Posh kicked off the second half shooting towards the small band of followers behind the goal and they would also have to cope with the slope with an eight-foot slope that Alexander's men would be kicking up for the second 45 minutes.

The rain also greeted the players as the early December weather began to play a part. Fleetwood had a good chance to make Tyler work on 53 minutes after a raking pass from Purdie, but he scuffed his effort well wide of the target.

An injury to Mclean two minutes later had the Posh bench concerned as he took a tumble under Mckandawire's challenge, but the on-loan front man was soon back on his feet after treatment from physiotherapist Keith Oakes.

Sills saw a looping header nestle in the side-netting after Hereford finally put a move together after a spell where neither team could find a team-mate. The strong wind was also causing a few problems as it began to swirl around Edgar Street, which was looking rather old with terraces mixed with seating in the stand opposite the press area.

Peter Gain replaced Huke on 65 minutes and the former Lincoln City midfielder was quick in the action, although it was a difficult match to come into with Hereford beginning to get in the ascendancy. Jeannin then flashed a fine volley across goal after Purdie's decent cross.

Substitute Andy Williams then saw a shot deflect off the head of Arber before Sills looped a header over after the ball rebounded off Branston as Hereford piled forward.

Trevor Benjamin was thrown on by manager Keith Alexander midway through the second half with Mclean making way. Tyler was called upon to make his first save of the second period on 75 minutes as Eustace let fly with his left-foot with the goalkeeper pushing the shot over the crossbar after good work from Purdie.

A snap-shot from Benjamin didn't trouble Brown in the Bulls goal on 78 minutes before Luke Webb replaced Connell. Tyler made a superb fingertip save to tip a Beckwith goal-bound header around the post as Hereford increased their dominance.

Branston was cautioned for repeated fouling before substitute Webb fizzed a volley inches past the near post as the pressure continued to build as Posh struggled to get the ball out of their own half.

Arber was then cautioned for a trip on Purdie by the touch-line as Eustace struck a glorious 25-yard pass across the pitch. Tyler smothered a downward header from Williams on 88 minutes and it does look that Hereford are the more likelier to break the deadlock as the game eased towards it's conclusion.

Four minutes of added time was signalled by the fourth official with Hereford continuing to attack. However, the final whistle was then blown and Posh will be happy with a determined point.

Final Score: Hereford United 0-0 Peterborough United

Referee: Mr A Penn (West Midlands)
Attendance: 2,309 (128 Posh fans)