Hereford 1-1 Braintree Town

Dan Walker's late header gave Hereford a point against Braintree, cancelling out Sam Smith's early own goal.

The first goal of the new Conference Premier season came after eight minutes when Smith headed Kenny Davis's cross past his own goalkeeper Rhys Evans.

Evans then tipped another Davis cross over to keep the score at 1-0 before pushing Daniel Holman's long-range effort around the post.

Those saves proved vital when Walker nodded home with 11 minutes remaining.

Walker's equaliser means Hereford remain without an opening-day defeat at Edgar Street since 1997.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire told BBC Essex:

"We needed a second goal, we had a few chances, there's keeper has made a couple of saves, it's one of those things.

"I did fancy our chances, we take a point, we didn't get beat. I felt we deserved three points.

"We were the better side, I think their keeper was man of the match, that says it all.

"James Mulley hasn't torn his hamstring but it tightened up so we won't take no chances. He'll be out for a couple of weeks."