Tranmere Rovers twice had to come from behind to ensure that they, alongside Hereford United go into the draw for the fourth round. The game ended 2-2, with all the goals coming in the second half. Ben Smith's excellent volley handed the Bulls the lead, before former loanee Steven Jennings blasted in an equaliser. In a frantic period that follow Jennings' goal, Benjamin drilled Hereford back into the lead before Gareth Taylor's powerful header ensured the sides have to go back and do it all again in a replay.
Clint Easton failed to recover from his injury problem and missed out but Trevor Benjamin returned to the starting line-up, with the injured Steve Guinan out altogether. There was a welcome return on the bench for versatile defender Richard Rose returning after a spell on the sidelines. Lining up for the home side was Jennings, who spent three months on loan at Hereford last season, whilst experienced striker G.Taylor partnered the tricky target-man Calvin Zola.
The first half was pretty much dominated by the home side, with Zola linking up with G.Taylor for the former Welsh international to shoot just over, after neat footwork in the box. G.Taylor, who threatened throughout, also shot well over when a ball fell nicely for the shot 25 yards out. Hereford's one and only chance in the first half came courtesy of Theo Robinson, after he had controlled a chipped Smith pass, and turned his defender but his low shot was well wide of the near post. Tranmere had a series of corners in the first half from Paul McLaren, with Anthony Kay heading over the bar from one of them, despite being under severe pressure from Toumani Diagouraga.
The home side continued to press as the half progressed, and United didn't look confident of keeping them out for much longer. However, with Wayne Brown in inspired form, the scoreline remained at 0-0. Craig Curran found space on the right wing before cutting in and shooting goalwards; Brown had to be on top form to make a diving tip over the bar. After that, both Jennings and McLaren shot wide, before G. Taylor again linked up with Zola, and the Congo born striker dummied before placing a shot past the post.
Tranmere were in charge of the first half, and it was a relief when the it ended for United. The second half however was a different story. The Bulls came out with real attacking intent, with Trent McClenahan's cross headed wide by Benjamin, before the big striker struck from long range forcing Danny Coyne to dive to his left to hold it. The home side still looked dangerous around the box though, and after Smith had lost the ball, McLaren played a neat pass through to Zola. The striker, who had caused problems for Lee Collins and Dean Beckwith throughout the first half, steadied himself and shot goalwards, but Brown did well to block the shot. Kris Taylor curled a free-kick into the body of Coyne, before Zola was again denied, this time seeing his powerful shot pushed over by Brown.
The goal-fest started soon after McClenahan had fired a warning shot from 35 yards, which needed Coyne to be alert as he plucked the goalbound effort out of the air. In the 65th minute, Smith scored with a beautiful effort. Robinson did well on the left wing to create a chance, and cut back into the danger-area. After some ping-pong in the box, it sat up nicely for Smith who struck a first-time volley into the top corner from 20 yards to send the travelling army of around 2000 Bulls fans into raptures. The home side were shocked, but did their best to reply, with Kay twice going close from corners. Zola, despite continuing to threaten, made way with Mike Jones coming on in his place.
Then came the three minutes of madness. Firstly, the ball broke down the right hand-side, and Jennings found himself inside the area, but from a tight angle. The attemped cut-back was blocked, but it soon found its way back to Jennings who powered a shot into the back of the net, via the underside of the bar. Yet, as Tranmere fans were still in celebration, the visitors went back in front. Robinson again started it, picking up the ball outside the box, and beating the defender. He then touched on to the over-lapping Benjamin, who picked his spot from an angle, and struck past Coyne, who had no chance of saving it due to the sheer power of the shot. With the lead intact, Sam Gwynne was replaced by John McCombe, as United looked to sit on the lead. However, Tranmere replied instantly, to the delight of the home faithful. A sloppy pass from Simon Johnson led to a cross being played in from the right hand-side, and G.Taylor stooped to head in at the back post.
With the minutes of madness over, the game settled back down and McLaren's burst ended in a poor shot going wide, whilst at the other end, Diagouraga's half-volley never looked threatening. Richard Rose was introduced late on for Johnson, with Graham Turner seemingly content with a draw. Both sides created half-chances to win the game, with G.Taylor's header being plucked out of the air by Brown, before Diagouraga again tried his luck with a half-volley, which although much closer than his previous effort, still failed to trouble Coyne.
The away support, in a total attendance of 6909 gave The Bulls a fantastic ovation at the end of the match, which was thoroughly deserved. Both sides played their part in making the game a good spectacle; Tranmere were the best League One side United have faced this season. In goal, Brown had a fine game, making some key saves, whilst Smith's volley is well worth a watch on Match Of The Day tonight. The sides will meet again, with the date for the replay believed to be on Wednesday 16th January. Before that game though, there is the fourth round draw on Monday, and a small matter of a derby match with Shrewsbury.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Collins, K.Taylor, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Smith, Johnson, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Rose, Fitzpatrick, Palmer.
Tranmere: Coyne, Stockdale, Chorley, Kay, A.Taylor, Curran, Jennings, McLaren, Sherriff, Zola, G.Taylor.
Subs: Achterberg, Tremarco, Mullin, Ahmed, Jones.