After two weeks on the road Hereford United's youth team returned to City Sports to face local rivals Cheltenham Town, who for the first time in several years did not include any Hereford-based players.

It was also good to see first team physio Jamie Pitman cast an eye on the game.

The game started in a similar fashion to recent matches with United in the opponents' half during the opening minutes resulting in Joe Lemar firing a shot over the bar from a Will Loughman free-kick.

However the recent good form seemed to have deserted the players and the visitors forced the Bulls back.

The only other opportunities of the half were a couple of long shots from Aidan Thomas. In midfield United struggled to win the possession they had enjoyed in previous weeks and Cheltenham made many attacks into the United half.

The visitors were particularly dangerous down the right side, with Kyle Haynes demonstrating why he has 10 Football League appearances to his name.

Midway through the half skipper Joe Loftus was robbed of the ball when surrounded by three attackers and when he tried to retrieve the situation knocked one of the attackers over to concede a penalty.

Jake Lee gave the visitors a lead that they held until the break.

Stern words by coach Gary Stevens at half time outlined that the performance was unacceptable and this certainly improved the second half intensity of the team.

With a slight breeze now behind Hereford the midfield forced their way into the game and chances began to appear.

Thomas fired on target but could not quite muster enough power to beat the keeper.

The game became stretched as both sides created openings to change the scoreline. Mat Gwynne was required to be quick off his line several times.

The best move of the game saw United deservedly draw level. Thomas was played in with a first time pass down the left and his one-touch pass was played into the path of Dean Lee who fired into the visitors' net.

Another good opening was created when Chris Hyde played Brendan Hackett in and for the second week in a row the midfielder saw his shot well saved.

Both sides now went for the winning goal but the scoreline remained the same at the final whistle with honours even.

Hereford United: Gwynne, Lemar, Matapo (Godfrey 25) Loughman, Croose, Brimble, Lee, Loftus, Thomas, Hackett, Hyde (Moreton 85)

Cheltenham: Barnfather, Haynes, Thwaites, Fawke, Sauntson, Williams, Egan, Latimer, Lee, Lewis, Waters