By Gregg Davies @ Alexandra Stadium

A thumping header from Hereford United captain Janos Kovacs got the Bulls' new season - and new era - off to a winning start at Crewe Alexandra.

The Hungarian centre-back powered home James McQuilkin's corner-kick after 16 minutes to settle the clash, with United - in their 4-3-3 formation - causing Crewe plenty of problems, but also suffering several shaky moments at the back.

Manager Simon Davey handed debuts to six of his new signings, with midfielder Kenny Lunt surprisingly omitted from the starting XI against the club he made more than 400 appearances for.

The Bulls began aggressively, with McQuilkin eventually firing in the first shot on goal of the afternoon, slicing his 25-yard effort comfortably wide following Mathieu Manset's lay-off.

But once both sides had settled it was the Railwaymen who should have opened the scoring.

After Ashley Westwood had drilled a free-kick straight into the arms of goalkeeper Adam Bartlett, Luke Murphy's defence-splitting pass put Clayton Donaldson in the clear, with the former York City goal-getter shooting beyond Bartlett but wide of the bottom corner.

Within minutes, his profligacy was to prove costly. The Bulls forced a corner at the opposite end, as Stuart Fleetwood's inviting cross was diverted away from the head of Sean Canham by former Morecambe defender David Artell.

From the resulting flag-kick, Kovacs buried his header beyond on-loan Chelsea stopper Rhys Taylor, celebrating exuberantly in front of the vast travelling support.

Dario Gradi's side were almost gifted a leveller after Bartlett first fumbled a free-kick and then got in a mix-up with Michael Townsend. Donaldson was unable to capitalise from close-range before Lee Bell's 20-yarder was deflected wide of the target.

Patrick Ada then headed one set play wide and another over the crossbar, before Shaun Miller's skidding drive flashed inches past the far upright.

Joe Colbeck saw his low effort find the midriff of Taylor, who had to tip McQuilkin's goalbound curler over after the same player's fierce 25-yarder had been deflected behind.

But as the half-time whistle neared, the hosts squandered a second glorious chance to score, with Miller firing wide from six yards after full-back Matt Tootle had flashed a ball across the penalty area.

Following a breathtaking first half, the second began at a steadier pace.

Manset headed McQuilkin's centre wide of the near post, in what would prove to be one of few meaningful efforts on goal for Bulls after the interval.

However, clear-cut opportunities were also at a premium for the home side in the second 45, with Miller's near-post drive parried wide by Bartlett.

Zola saw his strike charged down following a weak clearance by the keeper, with the imposing O'Neil Thompson clearing the ball against Miller and over the bar amid a scramble.

Colbeck's 20-yard snapshot was narrowly too high, while Manset fired well wide with the outside of his boot at the end of a flowing counter-attack as the Bulls bid to kill the contest with a second goal.

But despite one serious worry when Tootle wriggled free and saw his shot smothered by Bartlett, Hereford - well marshalled by Messrs Kovacs and Townsend at the back - held on relatively comfortably, with both Fleetwood and McQuilkin booked for dissent in the dying embers as the clock wound down.

Crewe Alexandra (4-3-3): Taylor, Tootle, Ada, Artell (c), Blanchett, Bell, Murphy, Westwood, Donaldson, Zola (Grant 69), Miller (Leitch-Smith 90).

Subs not used: Garrett, Moore, Mitchel-King, Dugdale, Powell.

Hereford United (4-3-3): Bartlett, Green, Kovacs (c), Townsend, Valentine, Thompson, McQuilkin, Colbeck, Fleetwood, Canham (Lunt 57), Manset.

Subs not used: Connor, Rose, Weir, Gwynne, Stratford, Malsom.

Booked: Valentine, Thompson, Fleetwood, McQuilkin.

Attendance: 4,343 - 905 away.