Gosport 1 (Wooden 72) Hereford 3 (John-Lewis 27, 65 pen, Owen-Evans pen 76)
Lenell John-Lewis put the Bulls ahead in the 27th minute before adding a second from the penalty spot 20 minutes into the second half.
Gosport pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute through Dan Wooden, but another penalty, this time scored by Tom Owen-Evans four minutes later, saw Hereford restore their two-goal advantage.
Hereford have squad numbers for this season and supporters were baffled when they saw '21 Nabi' on the team sheet. It was soon after confirmed that the player in question is Samir Nabi, who has joined on a non-contract basis.
John-Lewis was the only recognised striker in the starting line-up, but Hereford did play a 4-3-3 formation with Kyle Finn and Owen-Evans supporting him along the front line.
Hereford enjoyed plenty of possession during the early stages, but it was Gosport who had the first chance at goal when Bradley Tarbuck forced Paul White into a good save.
However, the Bulls started to create chances and John-Lewis went close to opening the scoring in the 16th minute but saw his effort go just wide.
Five minutes later, Owen-Evans rattled the crossbar while Jamie Grimes also went close. Nevertheless, Hereford did take the lead when Owen-Evans set up John-Lewis to rifle the ball home.
Finn almost made it 2-0 shortly afterwards before Bulls winger again had an effort on goal. Chris Camwell also went close before the break, but Hereford had to settle for just the 1-0 lead.
Into the second half and Yan Klukowski had to be alert to block a shot that was destined to go in, while at the other end, Camwell's free kick produced a great save by Pat O'Flaherty in the Gosport goal.
Pat Surici then struck the crossbar at the other end as the home side searched for an equaliser, while Finn went close for Hereford.
The Bulls were then awarded a penalty when John-Lewis was fouled in the box and the Bulls marksman duly dispatched the penalty.
Gosport gave themselves a lifeline when Wooden scrambled the ball home, but Hereford soon regained their two-goal advantage thanks to another penalty. With John-Lewis having been substituted, Owen-Evans, who won the spot-kick, stepped up to make it 3-1. New Bulls signings Kennedy Digie and Andrai Jones made late appearances off the bench and Hereford controlled the latter stages to advance to the next round.
Overall, Hereford will be delighted with how the match went especially as Gosport went into the game in good form having played three competitive games.
John-Lewis again showed his importance, although his withdrawal will concern supporters, especially as it looks like Demetri Brown could have ligament damage. Owen-Evans will be pleased with his goal, while there seems to be a solid backbone to the side now with plenty of experience.
Next is another long trip when Hereford face Southport in their opening National League North fixture on Tuesday.
- Gosport: O'Flaherty, Kavanagh, Williams, Woodford, Rose, Tarbuck, Teggarty, Bailey, Charles, Storey, McCreadie
- Subs: Carter, Patterson, Suraci, Wooden, Walker-Harris, Casey, Huggins.
Hereford: White, Camwell, Grimes, Wright (Digie 84), Hodgkiss, Haines, Lloyd, Klukowski (Nabi 78), John-Lewis (Jones 67), Finn, Owen-Evans
- Subs: Vaughan, Raison, McQuilkin, Pollock.
Attendance: 501.