THERE can be no FA Cup glory for Hereford this season after crashing out of the competition with a first-round defeat to Second Division opponents.

A 26th-minute goal by Steve Butler was ultimately to prove enough for the Gills, although a spirited fight-back, in which United's strong claims for a penalty were rejected, as were appeals that a Dean Smith shot from a goal-mouth scramble had crossed the line, almost resulted in the visitors earning a replay.

The revival was sparked by a brilliant 66th-minute penalty save by Andy DeBont, who had himself given away the spot kick by felling Iffy Onuora after the striker was set free in the area by Lennie Piper. DeBont correctly anticipated Butler's penalty kick and dived full length to his right to turn the ball away.

Four minutes later United came within an ace of equalising when a delicate chip by Chris Hargreaves, Hereford's most impressive forward, beat goalkeeper Jim Stannard but his effort rebounded off the bar. Although DeBont was quickly off his line to make fine saves from both Onuora and Andy Hessenthaler shortly afterwards, the bulk of the action in the closing stages was in the Gillingham half, with United's most likely opening coming a minute into injury time when Hargreaves, who was involved in the best of the United attacks, was clearly held back by Guy Butters in the penalty area. But the referee simply waved play on

open the scoring in the first 21 minutes, but saw shots and headers saved by DeBont when, on another day, he might have had at least a hat-trick.

The Gillingham goal came when Neil Smith, a scoring hero in the giant- killing Coca-Cola Cup win at Coventry, burst forward and passed to Butler, always a danger in the front line. The former Cambridge striker played a neat one-two with Piper before showing good control to slot the ball home.

United's best first-half chances had fallen to ex- Gillingham striker Adrian Foster who failed to distinguish himself on his return to Priestfield with a glaring miss after just four minutes and then by allowing Stannard to smother a shot from another clear-cut opening two minutes before the break.

Foster further spoiled his day by gaining a yellow card for a piece of petulance, throwing the ball at Simon Ratcliffe after a mid-field tussle had gone against him. Trevor Matthewson also had his name taken for a heavy challenge on Onuora.

''It's very disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at this stage,'' said United director of football Graham Turner. ''The lads are sure that Dean Smith's shot was over the line and also that we should have had a penalty. The team was lifted by Andy DeBont's penalty save and we could have got at least a replay.''

Hereford: DeBont, Norton, Matthewson, Smith, Law, Hibbard (sub Preedy 58 mins), Cook (sub Warner 83 mins), Stoker, Foster, Hargreaves, Brough. Sub not used: Townsend.

Attendance: 5,280.