HEREFORD made a disappointing exit from the FA Cup when they were out-battled by lower-graded Dagenham in their first-round replay at Victoria Road tonight.

Boss Graham Turner made just one change from Saturday’s 3-0 beating of Cheltenham with on-loan keeper Matt Murray unavailable and Craig Samson returning in goal.

Richard Rose, who had recovered from a virus, took his place among the substitutes.

Dagenham showed an early threat with a couple of long-range efforts from Sam Saunders.

The second of those, a left-foot effort from 25 yards, flashed narrowly wide of an upright.

Midfielder Saunders was involved when the home side took the lead on 17 minutes, delivering a deep cross to the far post and Paul Benson rose highest to head home.

Hereford’s defence was tested again a minute later when Saunders’ corner was prodded wide by home skipper Mark Arber.

A spectacular strike from Solomon Taiwo, volleyed from fully 25 yards, extended the lead on 33 minutes.

But Hereford reduced the arrears straight from the kick-off with Kris Taylor skipping through the home defence to fire home right-footed off a post.

Midfielder Clint Easton saw a shot blocked early in the second period but Hereford were then pushed back for a long spell by the aggressive home side.

Samson was twice called into action, diving to block from Benson and then pushing a Saunders shot behind for a corner.

Hereford made two substitutions and Toumani Diagouraga, now pushed up into midfield, sent a neat pass through to Steve Guinan whose powerful drive was parried well by keeper Tony Roberts.

The Bulls continued to press and had the better of the possession but failed to find the ammunition to test Roberts.

Hereford: Samson; Diagouraga, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Taylor; Gwynne (Johnson 77), Smith, O’Leary (Rose 66), Easton; Guinan, Williams (Hudson-Odoi 66). Subs not used: Breen, MacLeod, Done, Chadwick.

Dagenham: Roberts; Foster, Okuonghae, Arber, Griffiths; Saunders, Taiwo, Gain, Ritchie (Nurse 80); Strevens, Benson (Nwokeji 90). Subs not used: Higan, Southam, Graham, Uddin, Tejan Sie.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambs).

Attendance: 1,409 (140 from Hereford).