HEREFORD United are in the FA Cup fourth round draw for the first time in 16 seasons.

But the Bulls will have to overcome Tranmere in a third round replay, likely to be at Edgar Street on Wednesday, January 16, to take their place in the next stage.

After a first-half which ended with goalless draw written all over it, the match unexpectedly sprang to life in the second period.

Ben Smith and Trevor Benjamin twice fired the Bulls in front but Tranmere equalised on both occasions, the second leveller the culmination of a dramatic four-minute spell which produced three goals.

Hereford, who made one change with Benjamin replacing Steve Guinan, were under the cosh in the first period. Gareth Taylor blasted an early chance over the bar and blazed over again shortly afterwards.

As Hereford struggled to come to terms with the game, it was the hosts who had the better chances.

United enjoyed the occasional period of good play but Wales international keeper Danny Coyne was a virtual spectator.

Fortunately for the Bulls, though, the home side's finishing was wayward with Steve Jennings, Paul McLaren and Calvin Zola all sending shots well wide of the target.

The up-shot of all this was that Wayne Brown was only once called upon to make a save. It was a memorable effort, however.

The United keeper flew in his true Superman' style to tip over when a long-range effort from Craig Curran on 36 minutes seemed destined for the top corner of the net.

The Bulls' keeper saved his side again twice at the start of the second period with one terrific block and then a tip-over as Zola threatened to break the deadlock.

But it was Hereford who opened the scoring on 65 minutes when, after a session of pin-ball in the home area, Smith smashed home a superb volley from 15 yards.

Hereford came to life after that and the equaliser, 10 minutes later, was something of a surprise. The scorer, however, was well-known to Hereford as Jennings, who spent three months on loan at Edgar Street last season, crashed the ball through a crowd of defenders and in off the bar.

Hereford went straight back on the attack and Robinson slipped a pass through to Benjamin who showed why Leicester City once shelled out more than £1million for his services by flashing home an angled drive which gave Coyne no chance.

Within 60 seconds, Tranmere were level again. Simon Johnson lost the ball in midfield and McLaren sped away down the right before delivering a cross which was headed in at the far post by the stooping Gareth Taylor.

After that, it was Hereford who looked the more likely scorers but the two sides must do it all again at Edgar Street next week.

Hereford: Brown; McClenahan, Beckwith, Collins, Taylor; Gwynne (McCombe, 77 min), Smith, Diagouraga, Johnson (Rose, 87 min); Benjamin, Robinson. Subs not used: Ingham, Fitzpatrick, Palmer.

Tranmere: Coyne, Stockdale, McLaren, Sherriff, Kay, Zola (Jones, 71 min), Gareth Taylor, Jennings, Chorley, Andy Taylor, Curran. Subs not used: Tremarco, Mullin, Ahmed, Acterberg.

Referee: Nigel Miller (County Durham).

Attendance: 6,909.