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Hereford United's second half performance, inspired by new loan signing John Eustace, provided them with enough opportunity to take all three points from their game against Darlington at Edgar Street this afternoon. As it was though, United's strikers drew blank yet again and a 1-1 draw was the outcome.
With just one change from their TV defeat by Grimsby, Hereford took to field against a managerless Darlington side, who were without star striker Julian Joachim. It was the away side who had the early chances, with Kalusivikako Ngoma shooting sky high after a good build up. Wayne Brown was soon forced into his first save of the afternoon from Martin Smith, but it was his Sam Russell who was really tested at the opposite end, when Stuart Fleetwood's free kick was denied.
Eustace took a while to get into the game, but showed good vision as he trigged a counter attack following a Quakers corner. He released Andy Williams, who raced half the length of the pitch before directing his shot wide of the far post. Just two minutes later the loanee was again involved as he burst forward and then picked out Fleetwood. The Welsh U21 international saw a first shot blocked before delivering a cross which was headed behind by a defender.
Darlington slowly got a hold of the game again and Alun Armstrong forced another save from Brown with a long range snap shot, before he latched onto a chest down from Michael Cummins, before seeing his volley tipped over the bar by Brown. A collision between Cummins and Martyn Giles eventually led to both being replaced, meaning Phil Gulliver took to the centre of Hereford's defence from the bench. Within just five minutes of the change, Darlington had the lead with eight minutes of the half remaining. Finally, Armstrong was able to get the better of Brown, but only because the 'keeper was already grounded having pulled off a fantastic save. Armstrong was the first to the rebound and fired into an unguarded net.
Niel Wainwright had the first chance of the second period, only to be denied by Tamika Mkandawire, but from then on Hereford enjoyed the best chances of the game. It took a while for United to actually create anything, and with this in mind, Graham Turner replaced Rob Purdie with Alan Connell. Eight minutes later, Turner and his side were celebrating as the equaliser was headed in. Eustace delivered a free kick from deep for Mkandawire, who met it was a glancing header beyond the reach of Russell.
The final ten minutes provided the most entertainment, and with four good chances falling to the home side, The Bulls will be disappointed not to have gone on to claim victory. Fleetwood was denied from a free kick by another top save from Russell. Eustace then worked his magic, as he broke up a counter attack before releasing Fleetwood with a perfectly weighted ball. The young attacker side footed agonisingly wide though, before Eustace gave the defence "the eyes" and played a top quality through ball for Williams. Williams had just the 'keeper to beat, but it summed up his afternoon when he was denied by Russell.
Darlington, though, almost stole the game right at the end when Evan Horwood drilled a low shot across the goal face and just wide of the far post. That though, would have resulted in a undeserved victory for the visitors despite having the best of the first half. Eustace seemed to be the midfielder who has a good range of passing and can also make a tackle that United have been calling out for; it was the strikers who didn't come up with the goods today.
HUFC: Brown, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Giles, Travis, McClenahan, Purdie, Rose, Eustace, Fleetwood, Williams. Subs: Gulliver, Thompson, Webb, Connell, Sills.
DFC: Russell, Close, Holloway, Hutchinson, Horwood, Ngoma, Keltie, Cummins, Wainwright, Armstrong, Smith. Subs: Stockdale, Johnson, Rowson, Conlon, Logan.
