HEREFORD United put in an encouraging performance to draw 1-1 against a predominantly first-choice Oxford United side at Edgar Street last night.

It was a vast improvement on Saturday's lacklustre showing against Aston Villa, and an 80th-minute equaliser from experienced midfielder Ian Rodgerson deservedly cancelled out a header from Ian McGuckin four minutes earlier.

On-trial Cardiff striker Dai Young impressed in his first game for the Bulls and with his solid, old-fashioned centre-forward stature, he may be just what boss Graham Turner needs.

The first half started in sluggish style, but Hereford had what few early chances there were and gradually began to dominate.

Front man Craig Hanson curled an effort wide of 'keeper Jimmy Glass' goal as early as the fourth minute and eight minutes later it was Young's turn to go close.

Gavin Williams ingeniously shook off his marker with a clever flick and crossed to Young in space, but he put his looped header just wide.

John Snape nearly gifted The U's a goal after 35 minutes with an awful backpass, but ex-West Ham striker Manny Omoyinmi shot weakly at Scott Cooksey when clean through.

Seven minutes later a poor goal-kick from Glass, moments after he lost a boot attempting to fire the ball upfield, led to a speculative 35-yard effort from Young, which came close to embarrassing the Oxford 'keeper.

Tony James, on his return from injury, headed over a good cross from Rodgerson three minutes after the break and Young troubled Glass again with a powerful volley from 12 yards.

Keeper Richard Barnard, from Millwall, replaced Cooksey on 73 minutes and his first major task was to pick the ball out of the net after he failed to come for a Joey Beauchamp corner and McGuckin capitalised to score with a free header from eight yards.

However, Rodgerson, who looked lively throughout, made amends with a precision-placed shot from 20 yards which left Glass rooted to the spot, following a well-worked free-kick involving substitute Michael McIndoe.

Hereford: Cooksey (Barnard 73), Clarke (Shirley 73), Sturgess (Gar-diner 46), Robinson, Wright (Lane 62), James, Rodgerson, Snape, Tho-mas, Hanson (Elmes 62), Williams (McIndoe 62). Subs not used: Beale, Pitt.

Attendance: 864.