John-Joe O'Toole struck four minutes into injury time to snatch Colchester a last-gasp win over Hereford and earn them a place in the FA Cup third round.
The striker hammered the ball past keeper Adam Bartlett from 12 yards from Anthony Wordsworth's lay-off.
It was heartbreaking for Hereford, who struck the bar through Gavin McCallum, while Darren Jones forced a fine save.
But the U's, who saw a Kayode Odejayi effort cleared off the line, settled the tie late on to stay in the Cup.
Hereford defender Ryan Valentine told BBC Hereford and Worcester:
"When the draw came out, even though it was a team that is doing well in League One, we fancied our chances.
"Over the 90 minutes we have performed solidly more than spectacularly.
"But I think the least we deserved was a 0-0 draw and the chance to go down to their place and to go into the third round."
Colchester United manager, Aidy Boothroyd told BBC Essex:
"I'm delighted about it, there had been a few noises in the local press that they (Hereford) fancied their chances. They've got a good home record and it is these games that we must win if we're to win a league.
"Without being disrespectful, we have to put these lesser teams to the sword."
90:00+5:02 The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00+3:14 Booking John-Joe O'Toole is cautioned.
90:00+3:09 Assist by Anthony Wordsworth.
90:00+3:09 GOAL - John-Joe O'Toole:Hereford 0 - 1 Colchester A goal is scored by John-Joe O'Toole from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hereford 0-1 Colchester.
90:00+3:09 The ball is swung over by Anthony Wordsworth,
89:15 Shot from 35 yards by Jordon Mutch went wide right of the net.
88:33 Kevin Lisbie concedes a free kick for a foul on Darren Jones. Adam Bartlett takes the direct free kick.
86:51 Substitution Marc Pugh replaces Craig King.
86:22 Philip Ifil takes a shot. Mathieu Manset gets a block in.
84:31 Sam Gwynne produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.
84:11 Jordon Mutch takes a shot. Blocked by Magnus Okuonghae.
82:09 The ball is delivered by Philip Ifil, Daniel Blanchett makes a clearance.
80:57 The ball is crossed by Clive Platt.
79:53 A cross is delivered by Marc Tierney, save made by Adam Bartlett.
79:15 Mathieu Manset is ruled offside. Ben Williams restarts play with the free kick.
77:58 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John White by Craig King. Ben Williams takes the free kick.
77:47 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Philip Ifil.
77:38 Marc Tierney crosses the ball, Gavin McCallum gets a block in.
76:53 Inswinging corner taken by Philip Ifil, Sam Gwynne makes a clearance.
76:48 Philip Ifil sends in a cross.
76:18 Marc Tierney produces a cross, Ryan Valentine makes a clearance.
76:07+4:58 Short corner worked by Philip Ifil.
75:20 Mathieu Manset concedes a free kick for a foul on Magnus Okuonghae. Philip Ifil takes the direct free kick.
74:54 Jordon Mutch is adjudged to have handled the ball. Direct free kick taken by Paul Reid.
73:52 Substitution Anthony Wordsworth joins the action as a substitute, replacing Steven Gillespie.
70:14 The ball is crossed by Philip Ifil, blocked by Ryan Valentine.
69:40 Unfair challenge on Philip Ifil by Ryan Valentine results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by John White.
68:05 Substitution Philip Ifil replaces Kayode Odejayi.
67:27 Gavin McCallum takes a shot. Save by Ben Williams.
66:33 Craig King concedes a free kick for a foul on John-Joe O'Toole. Ben Williams takes the free kick.
65:56 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jordon Mutch from the left by-line, clearance made by Clive Platt.
62:45 Gavin McCallum takes a shot. Daniel Blanchett takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Ben Williams makes a save. Clearance by Marc Tierney.
60:37 Substitution Leon Constantine leaves the field to be replaced by Mathieu Manset.
Correction - 59:46 Booking The referee cautions Kemal Izzet for unsporting behaviour.
59:46 Booking The referee shows Kemal Izzet a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
Correction - 59:23 Kemal Izzet gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig King. Free kick taken by Jordon Mutch.
59:23 Kemal Izzet gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig King. Jordon Mutch takes the free kick.
58:24 Kemal Izzet takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Craig King.
57:45 Outswinging corner taken by Kemal Izzet from the right by-line, Craig King makes a clearance.
56:30 Jordon Mutch concedes a free kick for a foul on John-Joe O'Toole. Kemal Izzet takes the free kick.
55:50 Ryan Valentine produces a cross.
54:31 The referee blows for offside against Gavin McCallum. Ben Williams takes the direct free kick.
52:29 The ball is sent over by Steven Gillespie, save made by Adam Bartlett. Ryan Valentine crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Ben Williams.
52:07 Foul by Jordon Mutch on Kemal Izzet, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Ben Williams.
51:28 Kevin Lisbie is ruled offside. Adam Bartlett takes the free kick.
50:14 The ball is crossed by Craig King.
45:04 Substitution Sam Gwynne joins the action as a substitute, replacing Kenny Lunt.
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
45:01 Substitution Simon Hackney goes off and Clive Platt comes on.
Half Time
45:00+1:09 The match has reached half-time.
44:10 Leon Constantine is ruled offside. Ben Williams restarts play with the free kick.
43:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by John White on Leon Constantine. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Valentine, save by Ben Williams.
42:36 The official flags Kevin Lisbie offside. Adam Bartlett restarts play with the free kick.
Correction - 39:31 Jordon Mutch concedes a free kick for a foul on Kemal Izzet. John White takes the free kick.
39:31 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kemal Izzet by Jordon Mutch. John White takes the direct free kick.
38:32 Gavin McCallum has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.
37:31 The ball is delivered by Marc Tierney, Ryan Green manages to make a clearance.
33:47 Craig King crosses the ball, Magnus Okuonghae makes a clearance.
33:07 Gavin McCallum takes a shot.
30:56 The offside flag is raised against John-Joe O'Toole. Adam Bartlett takes the free kick.
30:47 The ball is delivered by Marc Tierney, Darren Jones manages to make a clearance.
29:59 A cross is delivered by Simon Hackney, save by Adam Bartlett.
29:34 Kevin Lisbie fouled by Ryan Valentine, the ref awards a free kick. John White restarts play with the free kick.
28:27 Darren Jones takes a shot. Save made by Ben Williams. Corner taken by Kenny Lunt from the left by-line played to the near post, Foul by Darren Jones on Simon Hackney, free kick awarded. Ben Williams takes the direct free kick.
26:12 John White sends in a cross, Steven Gillespie takes a shot. Blocked by Ryan Green.
23:07 The referee penalises Kemal Izzet for handball. Kenny Lunt takes the direct free kick.
22:22 The ball is sent over by Simon Hackney, Steven Gillespie takes a shot. Clearance by Simon Hackney.
21:25 Unfair challenge on Leon Constantine by Kevin Lisbie results in a free kick. Adam Bartlett takes the free kick.
20:50 Ryan Valentine concedes a free kick for a foul on Kayode Odejayi. Simon Hackney restarts play with the free kick.
20:07 Gavin McCallum takes a shot. Save by Ben Williams.
19:31 John-Joe O'Toole has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
19:07 The ball is sent over by Ryan Valentine, clearance by Paul Reid.
17:53 The assistant referee signals for offside against Leon Constantine. Ben Williams restarts play with the free kick.
15:30 Corner taken left-footed by Simon Hackney from the right by-line to the near post, Kayode Odejayi takes a shot. Clearance made by Kenny Lunt.
Correction - 14:56 Corner taken by Simon Hackney.
14:56 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by John-Joe O'Toole.
12:20 Outswinging corner taken by Daniel Blanchett from the left by-line, clearance made by Kevin Lisbie. Handball decision goes against Jordon Mutch. Ben Williams takes the free kick.
12:03 Marc Tierney crosses the ball, clearance made by Ryan Valentine.
11:09 Kayode Odejayi takes a shot. Save made by Adam Bartlett.
10:32 Unfair challenge on Darren Jones by Steven Gillespie results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Adam Bartlett.
9:12 Centre by Kenny Lunt, comfortable save by Ben Williams.
8:26 Steven Gillespie takes a shot. Save made by Adam Bartlett.
7:07 Craig King produces a cross, Shot from deep inside the area by Jordon Mutch clears the bar.
4:24 Gavin McCallum takes a shot.
2:08 Leon Constantine has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
0:00 The match gets underway.
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