Report by Sean Wozencroft

Photos by Peter Thomas

City progressed to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1994 but were made to sweat in the final ten minutes after looking comfortable for much of the match.

A fantastic half volley from Kevin McNaughton, his first for the club, gave City the lead at Edgar Street in first half stoppage time. It was a fine strike after City had missed several chances.

City were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising to the last 16 on 67 minutes when Steve Thompson scored from the penalty spot after McNaughton was bundled over.

But Hereford pulled one back when Theo Robinson latched onto a long ball and finished well from inside the area.

United came alive and in the end City were grateful to three fine saves from Michael Oakes to come through a difficult fixture.

Team News:

Dave Jones made one change to his side, Steve Thompson replacing Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink upfront. Michael Oakes saw off the pressure of Peter Encklemen to retain his place in goal whilst there was a warm reception for Paul Parry on his return to Edgar Street.

Chronological Report

City's first chance wasn't long in coming. Tony Capaldi launched a trademark long throw into the area. Steve Thompson headed down for Paul Parry, who saw his half volley expertly saved.

With nine minutes played Trevor Benjamin tried his luck from an acute angle after getting the better of Glenn Loovens. His venomous shot flew just past the upright.

Parry was clearly up for the clash against his former club and received a yellow card on thirteen minutes for a fierce challenge on Trent McClenaham. The home supporters were calling for a red card, but one foot was clearly grounded and a booking looked fair.

City were taking control and had another opportunity on 15 minutes. McNaughton played long and Thompson battled for it but Parry couldn't quite get his shot away.

Parry continued to threaten two minutes later, cutting inside from out wide and firing a good few yards wide of target.

City might have taken the advantage on 20 minutes. Peter Whittingham found McNaughton on the overlap. His shot found the side netting when he could've found unmarked Thompson in the middle.

The Bluebirds had the possession but Hereford looked dangerous through the lively Theo Robinson. His 25 yard left footer was saved well by Oakes.

Minutes later and Ben Smith latched onto a ball over the top and took it passed Oakes momentarily but the 'keeper recovered and Smith could only send his effort looping over the crossbar.

City had the goal they deserved in the first minute of time added on for an earlier injury to Roger Johnson. Capaldi sent a long ball in and Thompson battled for it. Hereford managed to scramble it out, but only as far as McNaughton, whose 25 yard volley into the right side gave Wayne Brown no chance. It was a great moment for the Scot, who put through his own net in the Third Round tie against Chasetown.

Second Half

Hereford could've brought the tie level just three minutes into the second period. Kris Taylor whipped in a freekick from just outside the area. Lee Collins was there to flick his header goalwards but it was straight at Oakes.

City were soon back in the ascendancy, though. Thompson flicked it through to Ledley who progressed and saw his low shot blocked out for a corner.

On 52 minutes patient link up play in the midfield involving Whittingham, Parry and McPhail earned City a corner. Ledley's driven setpiece was met strongly by the head of on-rushing Roger Johnson but his effort was well wide. On target and the pace certainly would've taken it passed the United 'keeper.

Three minutes later Thompson showed great vision and balance to find the run of Ledley. He got it back from the midfielder and forced a comfortable block.

With 23 minutes remaining City were two up from the penalty spot after fluent football from McNaughton and Parry. McNaughton played it in to Parry and he got it back with a beautiful one-two move. The rightback was just about to pull the trigger but tangled with two Hereford defenders and hit the floor. Referee Andy D'Urso pointed to the spot.

Thompson stepped up confidently and drilled into the bottom right corner from 12 yards with the 'keeper sprawled the other way.

Hereford United 0 v Cardiff City 2

Parry's header had to be tipped over from McPhail's looping cross as City looked to seal the victory.

But against all the odds a nervous final fifteen was assured when Theo Robinson, the Bulls most dangerous outlet throughout, found space from a long through ball, took a touch and fired across Oakes and into his right corner to lift Edgar Street.

Hereford United 1 v Cardiff City 2

Buoyed by their goal, Hereford came to life. Simon Johnson forced a corner from Johnson and then the striker was unlucky not to connect from the resulting deep cross.

United continued to press with minutes remaining. Robinson did well to get his cross over for Johnson. McNaughton did just enough to prevent the striker from winning it at the far post, but a freekick was awarded anyway.

City should have wrapped things up seven minutes left on the clock. Ledley crossed from the byline and Parry was in acres of spaces deep inside the area but miss-timed his header and it bounced harmlessly into the goalkeeper's grateful arms. Parry will wonder how he didn't manage to register against his former club.

Soon after Ledley's deft cross-cum-shot came back off the crossbar with the 'keeper stranded.

With the game swinging from end to end Oakes had to make a fine stop when Toumani Diagouraga was the benefactor of defensive mix-up. Diagouraga did well to keep his half volley down but it was just within Oakes' reach and there was no Hereford striker to pounce on the loose ball.

With less than a minute of stoppage time remaining Hereford came close again, Robinson's sidefooted effort was spilt by Oakes and lanky Diagouraga nearly followed it up but Glenn Loovens somehow managed to scramble it away.

That was the last real scare for the Bluebirds who will be wondering how they didn't win with less stress after looking very comfortable at 2-0.

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Collins, Rose, Johnson, Smith, Diagouraga, Taylor (Easton 65), Benjamin (Gwynne 71), Robinson.
Subs Not Used: Ingham, McCombe, Palmer.

Booked: Robinson.

Goals: Robinson 77.

Cardiff: Oakes, McNaughton, Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Whittingham, McPhail, Rae, Ledley, Parry, Thompson (Hasselbaink 88).
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Purse, Ramsey, Blake.

Booked: Parry.

Goals: McNaughton 45, Thompson 67 pen.

Att: 6,855

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).