Wednesday, December 22, 1999

TWELVE minutes were all that stood between heroic Hereford United and another slice of FA Cup history.

Graham Turner's terriers grabbed a shock first-half lead through a Paul Fewings goal, and were holding on with some comfort against an increasingly desperate Leicester City side in last night's third round replay at Filbert Street.

They were within sight of becoming the first non-league side ever to knock out a Premiership side, and recording a victory which would have topped their famous triumph over Newcastle in 1972.

But then Leicester got a lucky break to equalise, and another goal in extra time gave them a 2-1 win.

However, the Bulls' gallant display fully deserved the standing ovation they received at the end -- from the relieved Leicester fans as well as their own 3,000-strong travelling army.

Certainly in the first-half, it was difficult to believe that there were 98 places between the two sides in the soccer ladder.

Leicester, who made six changes from the first meeting, resembled a team of strangers as they were hassled and harried at every opportunity by a Bulls side who were solid in defence, tigerish in midfield, quick on the flanks and alert in attack.

No-one could argue that they deserved their interval lead.

Fewings had a goal disallowed and Ian Wright headed narrowly over, before, on 39 minutes, Paul Parry's cross from the left deflected high into the air off Robbie Savage's thigh.

Fewings beat defender Phil Gil-christ and goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad to the ball and back headed it into the net from close range.

Leicester, as expected, stepped up the pressure after the interval but, apart from a crucial double goalline clearance by Mark Taylor and Wright, they did not seriously threaten the United goal.

United were further boosted when an injury to midfielder Andy Impey reduced Leicester to 10 men, having already used their three substitutes.

But just as the history books were about to enter Fewings' name alongside that of Ronnie Radford and Ricky George, the home side equalised.

Stefan Oakes crossed from the left, sub Graham Fenton's powerful header was only parried by goalkeeper Mark Jones and Matt Elliott hammered home the rebound.

Leicester finally got their noses in front for the first time a minute before the end of the first period of extra-time.

Midfielder Savage broke swiftly from a Hereford corner to feed Tony Cottee down the right, and the former West Ham striker's cross was converted by a close-range diving header from Muzzy Izzet.

But United made a determined rally in a bid to force a penalty shoot-out.

A minute from time they came within inches of doing so when Gavin Williams helped on Wright's towering header only for Gilchrist to clear off the line.

Hereford: Jones 7, Lane 7, Sturgess 8, Snape 8, Wright 9, James 8, Parry 7, Taylor 8, Elmes 7 (May 94, 6), Williams 8, Fewings 8 (Rodgerson 71, 7). Subs not used: Wall, Rudall, Clarke.

Star man: Ian Wright.

Attendance: 12,157.