Reports from the Guardian and Morecambe Today

This short report on last night's match comes from the Guardian:

Hereford United last night moved to within 90 minutes of ending their nine-year exile from the Football League by finally prevailing in a play-off semi-final.
Victory over Morecambe, which booked a place in the final against Halifax Town at the Walkers Stadium tomorrow week, was a case of third time lucky for Graham Turner's team. They lost to Aldershot on penalties in the 2004 semi-final and were beaten by Stevenage last year.

Turner admitted his side needed the rub of the green to defeat spirited opposition but added: "I think we deserved our good fortune after the disappointment of the last two seasons. One thing's for sure, we certainly worked for our luck."
Inevitably the Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy did not concur. "We did not get what we deserved," he said. "We were the better side in the second half."

Morecambe certainly played their part in a compelling contest that, despite the prize on offer, was anything but attritional. Twice they came from behind: Wayne Curtis cancelled out Tamik Mikandawire's early opener for United with a penalty moments later, then Michael Twiss equalised again after Andrew Williams had restored Hereford's lead.

Morecambe's spirit was finally broken in extra-time, however, when the substitute Guy Ipoua muscled his way through their defence to fire home the winner.

Another report - this one comes from Morecambe Today:

MORECAMBE'S Football League ambitions were dashed after an extra time goal saw them slip to a Conference play-off semi-final defeat at Edgar Street on Thursday evening.

Sammy McIlroy's twice came from behind and then went on to take charge of the game but saw their dreams collapse after a late strike from Bulls' substitute Guy Ipoua.

The game seemed destined to be heading for a penalty shoot-out when Darran Kempson lost possession, the ball was pumped forward and Ipoua outmuscled Chris Blackburn before volleying sweetly past Steven Drench.

It was a shock goal in many ways as Morecambe always looked the more likely team to win the tie after producing the better chances in the extra period.

But the game began with Hereford on top.

The Bulls started well and soon took the lead when Tamika Mkandawire steamed into the box to head a Rob Purdie corner past Drench.

But within seconds however the Shrimps were level.

Straight from the kick off Garry Thompson attacked left-back Alex Jeannin and was hauled down for a clear penalty. Bulls' keeper Wayne Brown did his best to distract Wayne Curtis but the striker kept his cool and smashed the ball home.

The home side stepped up the pace once again and soon regained the lead with an excellent individual goal from young striker Andy Williams on 13 minutes. Adam Stansfield won the ball on the left and crossed into the area. Williams took control and worked an opening superbly before drilling a shot past Drench.

Hereford, backed by a huge following, began to pass the ball around neatly and Simon Travis tested Drench with a sweetly struck shot from distance before the Shrimps began to force their way into the game after a patchy opening.

Michael Twiss volleyed inches wide of the right hand post and then set up an opening for Danny Carlton who was denied a clear shot on goal.

The Shrimps carried the momentum into the second half and forced the Bulls onto the back foot with Thompson causing Jeannin no end of problems.

Michael Howard forced Brown into a neat save with a shot from the edge of the area and Carlton failed to connect with Curtis's neat flick.

It came as no surprise when the Shrimps equalised for a second time seven minutes after the break. Ged Brannan made a break down the right and although his cross was parried by Brown the ball fell for Twiss who made no mistake with an excellent finish from the edge of the box.

The Shrimps came close again with a fierce 25 yarder from Wayne Curtis flying inches over the bar before being denied a penalty when Jeannin seemed to push Thompson in the back in an act of pure frustration.

Hereford also came close themselves to a normal time winner when after a swift counter attack Rob Purdie hit the post following up from Drench's block at the feet of Craig Stanley.

With no further goals the game went into extra time. The first period saw half chances at both ends for Thompson and Andy Ferrell and the second began with Twiss forcing Brown into another good, low save.

But with the game coming to a close Hereford scored a dramatic winner. Substitute Kempson lost possession and Ipoua took full advantage by breaking through the middle and firing past Drench.

It was a well taken goal but a cruel one as the Shrimps suffered their second play-off semi-final defeat in four years.

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