HEREFORD 0, UNITED 0

Hereford: Brown, Rose, McCombe, Broadhurst (Taylor 63), Threlfall, Ainsworth, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Robinson, Benjamin (Guinan 72). Subs: Webb, Ingham, Gwynne.  

United: Ankergren, Marques, Huntington, Heath, Parker, Weston (Da Costa 72), Howson, Douglas, Carole (Clapham, 90), Kandol (Constantine 83), Beckford. Subs: Bayly, Lucas.

Referee: A Bates

Booked: Douglas, Parker (Leeds)

Att: 5,924 (1,070 Leeds)

United marked a first appearance in the first round of the FA Cup with another first - a competitive meeting with League Two promotion chasers Hereford United.

After two gruelling trips earlier in the week - Carlisle and Bournemouth - boss Dennis Wise made four changes to his battle weary squad with Paul Huntington, Jonny Howson, Curtis Weston, and Ben Parker all coming in for Frazer Richardson, Andrew Hughes, David Prutton and Jamie Clapham.

Edgar Street was buzzing with a near full-house crowd, and the opening exchanges were fast and frenetic. Howson had United's first shot while Trevor Benjamin threatened at the other end before going to ground.

Theo Robinson did test Casper Ankergren with a powerful shot on 10 minutes, but the United keeper gathered comfortably.

It was an entertaining opening. Hereford enjoyed some good early pressure, Richard Rose firing wide, while United looked content to move it quickly on the break and Seb Carole tried his luck with an effort which also went wide.

Carole also tested Hereford goalkeeper Wayne Brown on 23 minutes after seizing upon a mis-placed pass in midfield and breaking through on goal.

United started to enjoy the better of proceedings and with the home side being forced onto the back foot, Jermaine Beckford was next to try his luck when he lifted an overhead kick over the bar.

Jonathan Douglas was next to be denied when Hereford keeper Brown dived at his feet as United looked to force an opening before the interval. Brown also saved from Tresor Kandol after the striker latched onto a long ball forward from Ankergren.

The second half started where the first ended, although it was Hereford who went close after Paul Huntington sliced a clearance over his own bar. The hosts also came within a whisker of opening the scoring from the resultant corner when Benjamin headed wide.

United replied with Douglas and Carole threatening, but the home side went close again on 54 minutes when Theo Robinson dragged a shot narrowly wide of the upright.

Ben Parker responded with a strike that had Brown had full-stretch as the game moved swiftly from end to end.

On the hour-mark, Douglas picked up his fourth booking of the season when he impeded Lionel Ainsworth in the middle of the park.

Parker also went on the book in the 70th minute after he was adjudged to have fouled an onrushing Robinson.

Two minutes later, Wise made his first change with Filipe Da Costa replacing Weston.

Both sides continued to press without creating any clear-cut chances, but Brown was called upon to collect an opportunist effort from distance from Beckford.

And on 80 minutes, Ankergren made the save of the match to deny Ainsworth with a close range header.

With seven minutes remaining, Wise made his second change, replacing Kandol with Leon Constantine.

Hereford pressed for a late winner - the pacy Ainsworth continued to cause problems - but Ankergren made another brave save and United defended solidly.

The three minutes of added time failed to seperate the sides and the two clubs will now meet again at Elland Road on Tuesday November 20.