MORECAMBE are heading towards the Conference play-offs - and that's no Bull after a matador-like display at Edgar Street.

The Shrimps could easily have been swallowed up at Hereford but their gutsy display would not have been out of place at Madrid's Las Ventas.

Under the cosh for long periods, Morecambe made their point at one of their main rivals for the play-offs - and the draw handed Jim Harvey's side a fourth point from two tough away games against fancied opposition after the midweek win at Stevenage.

The Red Army raised their flags in celebration after just two minutes when Morecambe went in front - and after that they could enjoy a fantastic defensive display of grit, determination and goalkeeping brilliance from Ryan Robinson.

In those opening moments, Chris Blackburn did well to force a corner and from Keiran Walmsley's accurate delivery, Darran Kempson met the ball perfectly to fire home from 10-yards. It was the perfect start.

Hereford began to dominate after that early jolt - but the Shrimps' defence was mean as the Bulls charged around as though they were in a china shop.

One of the few times Jim Bentley and company struggled in the one-sided first period came in the 34th minute but Robinson saved easily from a Brian Smikle header.

However, the goalkeeper was powerless to keep out Tamika Mkandawire's header just before the break following Hereford's fifth corner of the half.

The second half carried on as the first had finished with Hereford pressing forward and Morecambe digging in to preserve their point.

Danny Williams extended Robinson with a free kick after 50 minutes and the young goalkeeper further enhanced his reputation with saves from Williams and Danny Carey-Bertram.

But Morecambe could have stolen all three points nine minutes from time when Michael Twiss sent substitute Garry Thompson clear with a trademark slide-rule pass.

Thompson looked a certain scorer as he bore down on goal - but a last-ditch tackle from Mkandawire stopped the Shrimp in his tracks.

In desperation, Hereford sent on veteran striker Lee Mills to try and win the game - and the ex-Portsmouth, Bradford City and Manchester City target man thought he had won it on three occasions.

But Robinson pushed his volley away, caught his stinging shot and then went full stretch to leave the Mexborough-born ace scratching his head in disbelief.

"I was amazed by Morecambe's display," muses Hereford boss Graham Turner. "They are hard to beat."

MORECAMBE: Robinson, Heard, Kempson, Swan (Elam 64, Curtis 90), Bentley, Howard, Blackburn, Kelly (Thompson 64), Walmsley, Hunter, Twiss. Subs (not used): Sollitt, Carlton