 Hereford's Simon Johnson celebrates his 71st minute winner |
League Two high-fliers Hereford sneaked past Tranmere into the FA Cup fourth round thanks to a late moment of inspiration from Simon Johnson. The Bulls wide-man picked up possession 40 yards out, weaved past a posse of Tranmere defenders, and curled the ball home with the outside of his boot.
League One Tranmere dominated the game but Congolese striker Calvin Zola could not convert a host of chances.
Hereford now entertain Championship side Cardiff on 26 January.
Tranmere, who twice had to come from behind at Prenton Park to earn this replay, immediately set about the match looking like they had a point to prove.
Within 60 seconds of play the ball was cut back to the rangy Zola from the byeline but, unchallenged, he fired wide of Wayne Brown's goal from six yards out.
With Tranmere's Bristol City loanee Jennison Myrie-Williams dictating play, Hereford were unable to build any possession despite the bruising efforts of Ben Smith in midfield.
 | 606: DEBATE |
Tranmere continued to press and, when Zola played in Gareth Taylor on the edge of the box, he should have done better than shoot over the bar.
The Bulls, unbeaten in five games, did manage a fast counter-attack on 24 minutes but Theo Robinson blasted high and wide after jinking his way into some space.
The second half saw Hereford kicking down the slope towards the famous Meadow End and it appeared to galvanise them.
Five minutes in, Tranmere keeper Danny Coyne pushed Theo Robinson's header against the bar after a high, hanging cross deep from the right by Simon Johnson.
Rovers continued to create opportunites with Zola nodding wide from a free header on 67 minutes before shooting against the bar moments later.
Tranmere's heavy traffic did not deter Johnson and after picking the ball up 40 yards out, he weaved towards the box before cleverly curling the ball past Coyne's outstretched palm for the decisive moment of the match.
Hereford take their place in the fourth round of the Cup for the first time in 16 years.
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Tranmere's Paul McLaren 8.00 (on 90 minutes).
Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?