HEREFORD failed to steal a march on their title rivals after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Alvechurch in a Midland League Premier Division top-of-the-table clash.

Former Kidderminster Harriers striker Nick Wright scored a second-half leveller for Alvechurch, who prevented Hereford from notching up what would have been a 28th successive victory in all competitions.

Defender Ryan Green headed Hereford into a sixth-minute lead before second-placed Alvechurch fought back for a deserved point in front of 4,026 fans at Edgar Street.

Hereford remain 12 points clear of Alvechurch, but the north Worcestershire side have five games in hand.

Hereford boss Pete Beadle said: “We have been very fortunate the lads have been very clinical and scoring goals, but it eluded us a little bit and we go to the next game.

“It’s been a phenomenal run, but looking it at another way, it’s now 29 games undefeated, so we just have to keep going.

“It wasn’t vintage and we didn’t create a huge amount, but you have to credit Alvechurch for what they did.

“But we didn’t get beaten and no one was going to win a trophy for this match.”

Hereford took the lead after trickery from Mustapha Bundu had won a corner.

Dylan Bonella delivered the kick and Green’s bullet header into the roof of the net was greeted by smoke bombs let off in the Meadow End.

Alvechurch defended well to frustrate Hereford for long periods but the hosts almost doubled their lead when Bundu’s lob sailed over.

John Mills then picked up a fine pass from Joel Edwards but, after rounding Matt Sageant in the Alvechurch goal, put his effort wide.

Hereford were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when Alvechurch stunned the hosts with a 55th-minute equaliser after breaking from the edge of their own box.

After a succession of neat passes, Wright raced down the left after a slip in the home defence before beating Hereford goalkeeper Martin Horsell with an angled shot.

But Hereford had a chance to win the match through Bundu, who hit a post.

Beadle added: “The match was played in the right manner and maybe a draw was a fair result.”