AFTER the euphoria of their FA Cup triumph over Hartlepool, Saturday's FA Umbro Trophy second round tie against Ryman League Division 1 visitors could have been a banana skin under the feet of Hereford players.

It nearly was. Only a series of fine first-half saves by Mark Jones and substitute Ian Rodger-son's 59th-minute strike - his first goal of the season - saved the day for the Bulls.

Barton's weekly budget for players is just £600 but they dominated play in the first period to such an extent that the corner count was 11-2 in their favour at the interval.

Within two minutes of the start they brought Jones into action as he turned a shot from Carl Drew away for a corner.

When United tried to respond, they made little headway against a quick-tackling Rovers defence which gave them little space in which to work.

United skipper and central defender Ian Wright retired with a leg injury in the 17th minute and was replaced by James Wall.

In the 22nd minute Rovers threatened again as Gordon Guile got on the end of Martin Young's centre, but he was foiled by a brilliant save by Jones.

The only save of note that Rovers keeper Brad Gillham had to make came in the 33rd minute when he tipped a Paul Parry shot over the bar.

As half-time approached Barton laid siege to the Bull's goal and Jones had to be at his best to keep out a shot and a header from Guile and another shot from Drew.

At half-time United director of football Graham Turner no doubt gave vent to some plain speaking. He withdrew striker Paul Fewings and pushed Gavin Williams forward to partner Rob Elmes.

Rodgerson filled the midfield vacancy and was soon in the act, firing in a drive which Guile blocked on the line. Two minutes later Wall tested Gillham with a header before Rodgerson netted the winner.

A Mark Taylor cross was partially cleared by the visitors' defence to Rodgerson who struck a perfect half-volley just inside the post from 20 yards.

While defending the Meadow End goal, Rovers were unable to maintain their first-period momentum, but they still looked capable of snatching an equaliser. The Bulls needed another goal to remove that uncertainty. The closest they came to that, however, was a Tony James' free-kick and an Elmes header, both of which were well saved by Gillham.

After the match Turner admitted that he had been glad to reach half-time without conceding a goal. He said: "We planned to play in the same manner as we did against Hartlepool, but too many players decided to do their own thing and we were pathetic in the first half.

"If we had gone out it would have been our own fault. The only consolation is that 12 months ago we would have lost the game, but we have more about us now."

There was one Hereford booking - Paul Sturgess for a foul.

Hereford: Jones, Lane, Wright (Wall 17 min), James, Sturgess, Williams, Taylor, Snape, Parry, Elmes, Fewings (Rodgerson 46 min). Subs not used: Rudall, May, Cotterill.

Barton: Gillham, McNally, Cook, Turner D, Thomas (Wheeler 73 min), Turner S ((Meah 53 min), Young, Whelan (Fisher 70 min), Guile, Drew, Yates. Subs not used: Fontenelle, Johnson.

Referee: A Penn (Kingswinford).

Attendance: 1,501.