Hereford United were once again short of the creative spark that they have been lacking so often this season as Alfreton Town pulled off one of the shocks of the fourth qualifying round at Edgar Street this afternoon. The goalless draw means that the two teams meet again this Tuesday night as they fight it out for a place in the first round proper of the FA Cup, against Cambridge City.
Just one change was made to the side that defeated Mansfield in the week; Danny Carey-Bertram was recalled to the starting line up so Andy Williams dropped to the bench. There was no place for the injured Darren Blewitt and Craig Mawson kept his place in goal as Wayne Brown has been told by Chester that he cannot play in any Cup games during his loan spell at Edgar Street.
The first half saw a series of half chances for the hosts, but they did not really trouble the Alfreton goalkeeper. Jon Brady had picked out Carey-Bertram on the flank and his cross was cut out at the last moment as it headed towards Matt Bailey before Bailey failed to connect with a Andy Ferrell effort, following some good build up play involving Carey-Bertram. A pot shot from thirty yards almost caught Mawson out for the visitors, but the ball flashed into the side netting before United broke via Rob Purdie and then Carey-Bertram, who hit the side netting himself.
The best chance of the half was then to arrive, when Brady whipped in a corner from the right, Tamika Mkandawire stole in front of his marker but his glancing header fell inches wide of the upright. Jon Stevenson, ever dangerous for Town, was gifted the ball by Alex Jeannin, just before the break, but his run and bouncing shot was claimed at the second attempt by Mawson.
Purdie was denied by a brilliant tip over the bar soon after the restart, having been played in by Ferrell but it was Stevenson who should have broken the deadlock with fifty minutes on the clock. Tony James miscontrolled a long ball forward, allowing Stevenson a clear run on goal, but his drive flew across the goal face.
Mkandawire again went close with a header, this time seeing it go just over, when Purdie returned an over hit corner from Brady into the box. Bailey had two good efforts, but neither of which were too much trouble for Legzoins. Purdie again linked up well with Carey-Bertram, but this time it was Ferrell's shot that missed the target. Graham Turner then made two changes to try and freshen things up and get his side out of a whole. Guy Ipoua and Andy Williams both came on to form an all changed strike force.
The change almost worked with seven minutes remaining; Jeannin's cross was met by Williams' diving header, but he was denied by a great save. Pitman was first to the loose ball and centred the ball to Ipoua who, from around four yards, somehow managed to lift the ball over the bar when it seemed impossible to miss. His shot was the last threat of what was a very poor second half but there was still time for Jeannin to pick up his fifth booking of the season, this one for dissent, meaning that he misses the upcoming replay.
The crowd was also very low for Edgar Street; it would appear that the attendances are beginning to resemble the performances being put in by Hereford. It was the lowest of the season at Edgar Street and it was aided by the noisy 97 Alfreton fans, in a crowd of 1,768.
HUFC: Mawson, Green, James, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Purdie, Ferrell, Pitman, Brady, Bailey, Carey-Bertram. Subs: Beckwith, Stanley, Evans, Ipoua, Williams.
ATFC: Alfreton Town: Legzoins, Clarke, Featherstone, Blount, Turner, David Robinson, Blunt, Fisher, Godber, Stevenson, Mills Subs: Ross, Duffield, Woolley, Nwadike, Powell