Josh Gowling’s goal five minutes into injury time earned Hereford a point against Vanarama North leaders Chorley. The defender scored a thunderbolt to nick a draw, cueing wonderful scenes at Edgar Street.
The pitch looked in good condition after several days under cover, despite the freezing temperatures overnight.
Chorley manager Jamie Vermiglio fielded former Hereford midfielder Josh O’Keefe in his starting eleven. He scored twice in their previous match, a 4-0 win over FC United. The league leaders have topped the division for almost all of the season so far, while Hereford went into the match in 19th place having collected six points from a possible nine over the Christmas period. Tom Owen-Evans, who signed a permanent deal earlier this week, started for the Bulls but George Lloyd wasn’t available having been recalled from his loan by Cheltenham. His place was taken by Theo Wharton. Keyon Reffell was available again after injury, and started among the substitutes.
Chorley had the best of the opening exchanges with an O’Keefe ball through to Carver going out for a corner, while the Bulls struggled to put attacking moves together. Hereford looked comfortable against the table toppers, but lacked an edge in the final third early on.
Hereford’s first serious attempt came from a breakaway. Tom Owen-Evans raced forward feeding Mike Symons, who crossed from the right to James Roberts - but he couldn’t connect inside the box. Then, seconds later, a Kyle Finn shot was charged down for a corner.
Hereford pushed forward, taking the game to Chorley. Owen-Evans hit the side netting and Symons felt he should’ve had a free kick after colliding with Meppen-Walter.
With five minutes of the first half remaining, Symons cut a ball back to Wharton who drilled it into the hands of the Chorley keeper from outside the box, while the away side kept up the pressure as they looked to open the scoring too. A cross-cum-shot from Josh Wilson was tipped over the bar by Matt Yates, with the game goalless at the break.
Marc Richards made a change at the start of the second half with Eliot Richards replacing Calvin Dinsley in Hereford’s midfield. But after 58 minutes, it was Chorley who scored. Josh O’Keefe found space on the edge of the box, turning to drive home and give the league leaders a 1-0 lead.
Chorley then took control of the match, dominating possession. Kyle Finn was replaced by Keyon Reffell as Hereford searched for a way back into the game. They created opportunities, with Richards driving straight at the goalkeeper but they struggled to really test the Chorley defence.
With ten minutes left, Chorley were reduced to ten men when substitute Louis Almond was given a red card after a confrontation with Cullinane-Liburd. Hereford then piled forward, but even with four minutes of added time and numerous stoppages, the game looked destined to end in defeat for the Bulls.
Then Josh Gowling, 20 yards out, drove home a pile driver to earn Hereford a deserved point.
After the final whistle, tempers flared with players from both sides clashing near the dugouts.
This was a more confident showing by Hereford against a strong Chorley side. It was also positive to see good performances from both Reffell and Richards as the Bulls move another point further away from the bottom three.
Hereford: Yates, Thomas, Greenslade, Dinsley (Richards, 46), Cullinane-Liburd, Gowling, Wharton (O’Sullivan, 85), Owen-Evans, Finn (Reffell, 65), Roberts, Symons. Unused subs: H. Smith, Horsell
Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague, Baines, Meppen-Walter, A. Newby (Cottrell, 77), O’Keefe, Carver (Hooper, 90), Wilson (Almond, 73), E. Newby. Unused subs: Leather, Eccles
Attendance: 2,168 (140 away)
Referee: Tom Bishop
Report written by Terry Goodwin.