Saturday, January 19, 2004

Hereford United, who have had their share of late goals of their own, were deprived of a vital win by Ryan Sugden's 93rd minute equaliser at Christie Park.

Sugden's dramatic leveller did a big favour to his old club Chester City who saw their lead at the top of the table cut to just three points after United's draw and their own surprise defeat at Forest Green.

The Bulls found themselves under the cosh for much of the second period, particularly after Michael Rose's 54th minute dismissal for a second yellow card.

And with blood pouring from a wound on Jamie Pitman's head, the scene often resembled something out of the Alamo as the Hereford defence was called upon to repel wave after wave of home attacks.

He might not have been wearing a Davy Crockett hat but at the heart of the action was goalkeeper Matt Baker who produced a number of superb saves to delay what seemed the inevitable equaliser.

Hereford should have been in front after just four minutes when Rob Purdie's through ball set Mark Beesley racing clean through on goal.

But with only goalkeeper Craig Mawson to beat, Beesley, who is still looking for his first goal for the Bulls, failed to hit the target and his shot flew tamely wide.

At the other end, Danny Carlton found himself in a similar one-on-one situation with Baker but, with the keeper advancing, the Shrimps' leading scorer landed his shot on the roof of the net.

Danny Williams saw a 35-yard free-kick well tipped over as the sides served up plenty of entertainment before the Bulls took the lead on 28 minutes.

Williams' free-kick from the right flashed into the home six-yard box where Anwar Uddin stabbed home his first goal for the Bulls from close range.

The home side were level within four minutes, however, when lively full-back David Perkins delivered a low cross which Carlton sidefooted home.

Rose was booked for dissent in the goal's aftermath and paid for voicing his opinions nine minutes into the second half after a foul was judged worthy of a second caution by Blackburn referee Mo Matadar.

With an extra man, Morecambe attacked in force but it was Hereford who took the lead on 78 minutes.

Mawson spilled a corner from Chris Palmer and substitute Richard Teesdale, with his first touch of the ball, forced home his first professional goal.

Baker then found himself in constant action as he saved superbly from Sugden (twice) and Rogan.

In the game's 93rd minute, the goalkeeper touched another Sugden shot on to the crossbar but was then left helpess when the rebound fell perfectly for the substitute to power home from close range.

Williams admitted they had faced an onslaught in the second half following Rose's dismissal.

"It was back to the walls, but that had a lot to do with the refereeing; two yellow cards for Rose and plenty of cards when it wasn't a dirty game," said Williams.

"We would have been pleased with a point beforehand, missing Guinan and Smith, but it's starting to catch up with us at the moment."