HEREFORD United suffered their first defeat in six pre-season matches when they went down 1-0 against a Birmingham City side featuring half-a-dozen players with Premiership experience.

But the star for the Blues was triallist Dragan Zilic, the Montenegro international goalkeeper, who made a number of outstanding saves, including one particularly brilliant tip-over from a Ben Smith shot.

Unfortunately for United, their goalkeeper Matt Baker, who wasn't otherwise overstretched, made a hash of dealing with Jovan Kirovski's 20-yard drive a minute before the break, diving over the ball which ended in the corner of the net for the decisive goal.

The match provided Bulls' fans with a first opportunity to take a look at the club's new signing, former Grimsby and Sheffield Wednesday defender Ryan Green. The 22-year-old Welsh international slotted in comfortably at right-back.

The Bulls created some good openings but found Zilic well in command of his area. The keeper produced early blocks from Rob Purdie and Steve Guinan before his excellent tip-over from Smith.

Michael Rose then drove a shot just over before Green and Guinan set up a chance for Purdie who shot weakly at Zilic.

Guinan was unlucky with a shot which deflected into the side-netting a minute before Kirovski's goal and United were fortunate not to fall further behind eight minutes into the second period. Craig Fagan intercepted a poor back pass by Richard Teesdale but blasted his shot against the woodwork.

After this, though, United generally had the better of the play as both sides made a number of substitutions. Despite their dominance, however, they were unable to find a way past Zilic, who must have impressed watching Blues' manager Steve Bruce.