Hereford United twice threw away the lead as Hucknall Town battled away to earn themselves a replay this Tuesday evening , meaning Hereford's match with Carlisle must now be rescheduled once again. Hereford put in another medicore performance in front of a disappointing crowd of 1,766, which included 288 away fans.
Lee Mills was out for United and Simon Travis only made the bench, having been replaced against Tamworth due to injury. As expected, Ryan Green took his place. Carl Lewis was a surprise inclusion as the sub goalkeeper, from the youth team, as Ben Scott was left out. Rob Purdie also returned to the side and partnered Danny Carey-Bertram up front and Jamie Pitman returned after three weeks out in the place of Graham Hyde.
The Bulls could not have got off to a better start; having conceded early goals in both of their previous two outings, it was their turn to score early on. Pitman found Brian Smikle on the wing who found Purdie. His square ball was met first time by Craig Stanley as he hammered the ball beyond the goalkeeper from the edge of the box. Hereford went on to create a couple more openings, but Hucknall were not ready to turn over yet.
Purdie's shot was easy for the 'keeper from fifteen yards out after good build up through the midfield and Stanley again was on the end of a cross, this time from Green, but he lifted it over the bar. Then Hucknall broke from halfway and were back on level terms after twenty three minutes. Andy Todd held off the challenge of Smikle before play a perfect through ball on the inside of Tony James, for Mark Smith to run onto and round Craig Mawson before firing in to make it 1-1.
Hereford were slightly rattled by this and James made a mistake in playing a free-kick straight to Todd, as he attempted to pick out Green across the back, but luckily for him the cross was harmless. Just after the half hour United sprung back into life and Purdie, running onto a forty yard pass from Stanley, crossed from the left for Carey-Bertram, whose near post effort was deflected wide by a defender. After the corner Pitman threaded a neat ball into Tamika Mkandawire in the area. His touch beat the goalie but there was a defender on the line to stop United retaking the lead.
Stanley went close again when his twenty five yard effort was kept out by a great diving save. Hereford clearly wanted to have an advantage going in at the break, and on the stroke of half time they got what they were looking for. Stanley had found Green moments before, who played a one-two with Purdie and then crossed to Carey-Bertram who won a corner. A second cross was headed away by Hucknall but only as far as Mark Robinson who met the dropping ball with a full volley. It left his boot like a rocket and flew into the top corner, leaving the 'keeper stranded.
The second half started with United the more threatening side but couldn't create any clear chances. Carey-Bertram's shot on the turn was not far away and Rob Purdie went just as close with a good effort from all of thirty yards. Then, against the run of play, Hucknall found themselves level once again. Dean Barrick started a move on the left, which resulted in Todd playing a ball to the edge of the area, where Smith was in acres of space to burst into the area unchallenged and slide the ball into the bottom corner. A few minutes later, Stansfield replaced Smikle soon after as United searched for more options in the attack.
Green and Ricketts tangled after the ball had been knocked out of play as tempers on the pitch rose. Both were booked, but it seemed a harsh decision on Green and maybe slightly lenient on his opponent. A well worked throw in move saw Pitman play a nice flick for Williams to run onto and cross to the far post. Purdie played a cushion header to Carey-Bertram but the bounce was just to high and he sliced his shot.
Hereford continued to press, but Hucknall were tenacious and packed their defence as they hoped to force a replay. Hereford worked a move down the right in which Carey-Bertram crossed to Stansfield, but his header was off target. Travis was then introduced in Green's place, as he was fired up following the clash with Ricketts.
Stansfield then rounded Barrick on the right flank before picking out Carey-Bertram deep into injury time. Carey-Bertram's shot appeared to be goalbound but was deflected wide by what seemed to be the arm of a defender, but the referee waved away the claims. Man of the match Robinson crossed into the danger zone but Mkandawire headed wide.
Hucknall will be delighted with their performance and will be full of confidence when they get a second attempt against Hereford this Tuesday. Hereford will be frustrated that they could not finish off the job today as the replay means further fixture back log in an already extremely tight schedule.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, James, Mkandawire, Robinson, Williams, Pitman, Stanley, Smikle, Purdie, Carey-Bertram. Subs: Travis, Tretton, Lewis, Hyde, Stansfield.