Hereford 3 Morecambe 2

A WONDER strike by Guy Ipoua in the second period of extra-time last night sent ecstatic Hereford through to the Nationwide Conference play-off finals.

Ipoua's goal settled a pulsating tie in which the Bulls had led twice through Tamika Mkandawire and Andy Williams only to be pegged back by Wayne Curtis' penalty and Michael Twiss.

Hereford got off to a great start when they scored from their first corner of the game on five minutes.

Rob Purdie's cross was met by the flying Mkandawire whose header gave goalkeeper Steve Drench no chance.

But straight from the kick-off Morecambe were back on level terms.

Garry Thompson went racing into the Hereford area where Alex Jeannin charged in with the most reckless of challenges to floor the winger.

Curtis showed plenty of nerve to drive an unstoppable penalty past 'keeper Wayne Brown.

But Hereford did not have long to wait before regaining the lead, thanks to some sublime skill by Williams.

The teenage striker received a pass from Purdie and made space for himself before driving a superb shot past Drench.

This inspired Hereford's best passage of the half and Simon Travis was unlucky not to add a third on 28 minutes when Drench desperately clawed away the midfielder's powerful 30-yard drive.

The Shrimps came more into the game as the interval approached but, despite some dangerous prompting by Twiss, were unable to find a way through.

It was former Manchester United trainee Twiss, however, who restored parity nine minutes into the period, blasting a shot past Brown after Ged Brannan's effort was only partly cleared.

But Hereford might have been in front again after a further two minutes when Purdie cracked a shot against the upright after good work by Williams on the flank.

Morecambe then went on to have the better of possession as they gained a strong foothold in midfield.

But -- apart from a thundering drive from Curtis which flew a foot over -- there were few other moments which worried either goalkeeper.

The first period of extra-time passed without incident but a low drive by Twiss forced a fine save from Brown at the start of the second-half.

Then Ipoua held off the attentions of two Morecambe defenders two minutes later to send Hereford into raptures.

The Bulls now take on Halifax Town a week on Saturday at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium for the right to progress into League Two.

HEREFORD: Brown; Green, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin (Pitman 73); Travis, Ferrell, Stanley, Purdie; Williams (Ipoua 82), Stansfield (Fleetwood 73). Subs not used: Mawson, Carey-Bertram.

ATTENDANCE: 6,278.