Hereford went to League One Fleetwood today with the hope of causing a cup upset. New signing Billy Murphy went straight into the side at the expense of Jamie Bird, with Ryan Green coming in for the cup tied Cameron Pring. There was also a late change to the team as Rob Purdie pulled up in the warm up despite passing a late fitness test - Calvin Dinsley took his place.
Hereford were defending the goal in front of the Percy Ronson away terrace in the first half as Fleetwood started the brighter of the two sides. Ryan Green was well-positioned to block Ashley Hunter's 7th minute strike, before Wes Burns headed high and wide under pressure from the Bulls' defence.
Pete Beadle's men then had chances of their own as Billy Murphy had the Whites' first clear cut chance of the game, but the former Bath City man fired well over from range. Moments later at the other end of the pitch, a poor effort from Fleetwood's Ashley Hunter went harmlessly wide.
Midway through the half, Calvin Dinsley sent the away side into raptures as he opened the scoring. After a period of pressure from Hereford, the ball was worked to Dinsley on the edge of the area. As cool as ever, he curled the ball exquisitely into the left hand side of the net with the keeper unable to get a hand to it.
Four minutes later Garyn Preen could've made it 2-0, but his ambitious shot from left flank took a deflection before finishing on top of the net.
Hereford's lead was short lived as Fleetwood equalised in the 28th minute. Lewie Coyle burst down the right wing and whipping in a cross before Jimmy Oates could get a challenge in. As the ball curled into the area, the unmarked Devante Cole chested the ball across the line to cancel out Dinsley's opener.
Ashley Hunter then saw another shot blocked by the Hereford defence after getting onto the end of Wes Burn's lofted ball.
It was John Mills who had the best chance before the break as his effort was cleared off the line. A foul on Lance Smith resulted in a Hereford free kick 20-yards out and Fleetwood couldn't deal with the danger. Mills eventually got to the ball and stabbed it towards goal, but a body on the line denied him.
HT: Fleetwood Town 1 - Hereford 1
With the Bulls attacking towards the vocal away fans, they had the first chance of the half. Dara O'Shea tried his luck from 30-yards, but he couldn't keep his shot down as it sailed over the crossbar.
Fleetwood became increasingly frustrated with Hereford who remained solid at the back. Throughout the second half Town played a number of heavy crosses into the box, but after flashing across the face of goal there was nobody on hand to turn the ball home.
Martin Horsell pulled off a fine save in the 72nd minute to keep the score level, as he palmed Hunter's low drive wide. From the corner that followed, Horsell smothered the ball to deny any Town players chance to shoot.
Four minutes later Jimmy Oates' tame header towards the far post proved an easy save for home keeper Neal.
The final chance of the game fell to Fleetwood. It was once again Hunter who tried his luck, and after cutting into the box his low drive struck the upright before Hereford scrambled the ball clear.
Watching the game, it was largely hard to tell there was such a huge gap between the two teams in terms of league standings - some 89 places. The Whites deservedly got something out of the game, so Fleetwood will travel down to Edgar Street for the replay. Date TBC.
FT: Fleetwood Town 1 - Hereford 1
Att: 2,567 including 977 away fans
Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), O'Shea, Dinsley (Haysham), Green, Deaman, Preen, Murphy, Mills, Reffell, Smith (Symons).
Subs not used: Harris, Page, Preston, Franklin, Bird.
Fleetwood Town: Neal, Coyle, Bell (Hiwula), Eastham, Pond (c) (Bolger), Dempsey, Burns, Glendon (O'Neill), Hunter, Cargill, Cole.
Subs not used: Crellin, Maguire, Schwabl, Sowerby.
Next Game: Basingstoke Town at Home on Saturday 9th December at 3pm