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Stockport County made it seven games without loss on the road this season with a 1-0 victory against Hereford United. A close game was decided when Tommy Rowe slotted home from inside the box in the second minute of stoppage time to hand Stockport County their usual three points at Edgar Street in front of 3210 supporters, including 590 from County.
The Bulls were unchanged once again following two clean sheets against Brighton and Carlisle. Jim Gannon named two ex Hereford players in the squad, with Stephen Gleeson starting in central midfield whilst Michael Rose had to be content with a place on the bench.
Like in the previous few games, Hereford were patient in the first-half with the opposition creating the better openings. However, it was Steve Guinan who registered the first shot after turning in the middle of the park before smashing a shot into the back of the Blackfriars End. Darren Randolph pushed away Anthony Pilkington's left-foot strike, despite the ball heading wide whilst Gleeson tamely shot wide after a well-worked corner routine. Peter Thompson nodded over after Pilkington's diagnol run allowed him a chance to cross. Hereford's striking duo of Guinan and Andy Williams linked-up in the final third, with a one-two being played before Guinan struck goalwards, but failed to hit the target once more. Towards the end of the half, Clint Easton saw a free-kick from 30 yards blocked by the wall before a rebound half-volley from Kris Taylor went over.
Hereford came out of the blocks quickly in the second-half, working hard and looking dangerous with the pace of Andy Williams causing problems, but it was County who were inches away from taking the lead. John Mullins rose above the Bulls' defnce to head a corner on to the roof of the net. Paul Turnbull replaced in the ineffective Carl Baker as Gannon looked for a better end product up top, yet it was Hereford who looked more likely to make something happen. Williams held the ball up and his touch set up Taylor who sent a placed shot inches past Fraser Forster's far-post. A shuffle to the team was made when Richard Jackson limped off, with Ben Smith coming on for him to take a place in the centre of midfield. Taylor dropped back to left-back, with Richard Rose switching positions to right-back. County also made a substitude, bringing on Leon McSweeney for Thompson.
James Tunnicliffe headed at Randolph from a dangerous Jason Taylor free-kick, before Hereford introduced Bradley Hudson-Odoi up front, with Williams making way. The former Fulham man was soon involved, running at the County back-line, and his attempted cross made its way to Smith who smashed a half-volley just past the post. A chorus of boos rung around the ground when Gleeson made way, with Gary Dicker replacing the Wolves loanee. Rowe sent a warning to United, when he chested and struck a left-foot half-volley towards goal with Randolph forced to push it around the post.
Nick Chadwick came on for the tiring Guinan up front, and the partnership between the former Everton man and Hudson-Odoi looked threatening late-on, with the youngster being set up by Chadwick before sending a left-footed strike from inside the area just past the near-post. Minutes later, Chadwick won a flick from a long Randolph kick and Hudson-Odoi raced onto it, but the angle was too tight and Forster blocked his effort. The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but in stoppage time Stockport managed to snatch the points. Tunnicliffe's long-throws has caused problems all afternoon, and in the final moments, he lanched the ball into the box. Randolph did superbly to stop a shot by Taylor inside the box, but the ball fell kindly to Rowe who controlled before poking it through the crowd from six yards and into the net.
The late goal was a cruel blow for United as they equalled their opponents, and created some good opportunities in the second-half. The defence looked solid until breached at the end, with Bruno N'Gotty dominant as ever. An extension to the loan of the big Frenchman is a must if Hereford are to climb out of the relegation zone, although adding to the forward line must also be a priority as United failed to score once again. Next up is two tough away trips to Millwall and Peterborough, starting at the New Den on Tuesday evening.
Hereford: Randolph, Jackson, Broadhurst, N'Gotty, Rose, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Taylor, Easton, Guinan, Williams.
Subs: Samson, Beckwith, Smith, Hudson-Odoi, Chadwick.
Stockport: Forster, Kane, Mullin, Tunnicliffe, McNulty, Pilkington, Gleeson, Taylor, Rowe, Baker, Thompson.
Subs: Fon-Williams, Rose, Dicker, Turnbull, McSweeney.
