Hereford FC 0-0 Boston United

The Pilgrims had the better of their trip to Edgar Street but were unable to find a way through a Hereford side under the guidance of new manager Russell Slade for the first time.

Simon Ainge had the Pilgrims’ clearest chance in the second half but was denied by a fantastic headed clearance off the line from Keiran Thomas.

United boss Craig Elliott had named an unchanged XI ahead of kick-off and the Pilgrims made a bright start in the Herefordshire sunshine.

The Pilgrims were fortunate in the eighth minute when Peter Crook allowed Brad Ash’s long-range drive squirm under his body, but the ball flew just wide.

United got forward at every opportunity, with full-backs Karl Byrne and Alex Whittle encouraged to join the attack, and the latter tested Brandon Hall from 18 yards with an angled drive.

Jordan Adebayo-Smith, making his second successive United start, forced a fine block from Jordan Cullinane-Liburd while Hall tipped Tom Platt’s header wide from a Nicky Walker corner.

Crook denied Rowan Liburd at the start of the second period, while substitute Raheem Hanley was thwarted by a brave Ainge block.

After Dominic Knowles had lashed an effort into the side-netting from a Walker corner, Ainge saw United’s best chance go begging with Thomas blocking his effort on the line following another Walker set-piece.

United pressed hard for a winning goal but were kept at arm's length by Hereford to earn their first 0-0 draw since April 2018 against Spennymoor Town.

Hereford (4-4-2): Brandon Hall; Keiran Thomas, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Martin Riley (Tom Owen-Evans 60), Jared Hodgkiss; Brad Ash, Jacob Jagger-Cane (Tommy O’Sullivan 62), Simeon Maye (Raheem Hanley 46), Jason Pope; Reece Styche, Rowan Liburd. Subs (not used): Jordan Nicholson, Alex Bray.

Boston (4-3-3): Peter Crook; Karl Byrne, Luke Shiels, Simon Ainge, Alex Whittle; Brad Abbott, Andi Thanoj, Tom Platt; Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Shaun Tuton 68), Dominic Knowles (Tom Clare 87), Nicky Walker. Subs (not used): Ashley Jackson, Ben Middleton, George Willis (gk).

Referee: Dale Baines.

Attendance: 2,498 (57 visitors).