The Bucks had to settle for a point at Edgar Street after a 1-1 draw with Hereford on Tuesday night.

Highlights

Match report

The Bulls nearly charged into an early lead when Omari Sterling-James’ looping cross from the left looked as it might drop in over Josh Gracey, but the Bucks’ stopper just about managed to paw it away.

Kevin Wilkin’s men then started to get on top, with their patient passing football troubling the hosts. And in the 23rd minute the Bucks looked like they would get their reward when Matty Stenson was fouled in the box. A red card was also shown to a Kyle Howkins before being swiftly rescinded referee after consulting with his assistant. After things calmed down, Stenson saw his penalty well saved by Theo Richardson, who dived to his right to keep things all square.

The Bulls had a better five minute spell which saw Remaye Campbell test Gracey with a header from a freekick. But the Bucks were looking good and were the better side throughout much of the first half. Jamie Meddows had a couple of chances, Remi Walker flashed a header over and then saw another effort stopped by the boot Richardson. But right on half time, Stenson gave the Bucks the lead with his 50th goal for the club. Sharp thinking from Jordan Cranston saw the full back hit a quick freekick from around halfway into the feet of Stenson on the edge of the box, who expertly teed himself up and hit shot on the turn through a crowd of players to make it 1-0 to the Bucks at half time.

Hereford made a livelier start to the second half, and they hauled themselves level on the hour mark. Cranston’s clearing header cannoned into Jordan Piggott, and the ball fell kindly for Sam Osborne, who turned the ball home from close range.

Wilkin’s men stirred back to life after the goal and the game became a largely even affair. First, the Bucks had the slight upperhand and twice went close through Oliver Cawthorne, flashing headers narrowly off target from two set pieces. The Bulls then started to seize the initiative and forced a series of corners, but the Bucks stood firm.

Bucks’ boss Wilkin was then rather harshly given his marching orders in stoppage time as he tried to get ball back from the Bulls’ bench. But on the pitch, neither side could find a winner, with the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The Bucks will perhaps be a touch disappointed that they didn’t make their first half dominance count, but Hereford improved after the break, and in the end both sides had to settle for a point.

Post-match interview