BULLS ARE IN DINSLEY-LAND!
FLEETWOOD boss Uwe Rosler was left to rue his side’s lack of a cutting edge after they were held to a draw by Non-League Hereford.
Midfielder Calvin Dinsley elegantly curled the seventhtier visitors into the lead midway through the first half, but it was shortlived as Devante Cole levelled for Fleetwood minutes later.
After the break, Hereford, who were backed by a strong and vocal support who had made the long journey, stifled Fleetwood throughout and earned a place in the hat for the third round of the FA Cup with Premier League sides.
“In the first 20 minutes we controlled the game more or less, which was our aim,” said Rosler.
“In the second half the game was really open which suited them. We had four or five chances but we didn’t use them correctly.
“We caused ourselves problems by letting them score the first goal and we should have done better to deal with the game.
“We couldn’t break them down. We had our chances but it wasn’t enough to win the game unfortunately.”
Following a bright start to the second-round tie, Hereford sent their 977 travelling supporters into delirium after 23 minutes when the ball dropped to Dinsley on the edge of the area, and he bent his shot into the bottom left corner beyond Chris Neal’s dive.
However, Fleetwood restored parity on the half-hour mark as Lewie Coyle’s cross from the right was met by Cole to coolly divert past goalkeeper Martin Horsell.
In the second half, the phoenix club, who play in the Southern League Premier Division, continued to frustrate Fleetwood to limited openings.
Fleetwood chucked everything they had at Hereford in an attempt to find a winner, with Ashley Hunter hitting the post, but Beadle’s men remained resilient to secure a well-earned replay which will be played at Edgar Street.
Beadle said: “I have a huge amount of pride for the players as they put in a fantastic shift and effort.
“They showed great character and I think they have earned the chance to be in the third- round draw. I thought the goal was great and we scored it at the perfect time, it settled us down a bit and it is a shame that we couldn’t hold on until half-time.
“Calvin Dinsley wasn’t even supposed to be in the starting line-up, so it was a nice finish from him, but we showed our great character.
“I’ll watch the third-round draw quietly at home with the family and we will see who we draw.
“If we draw a Premier League team away from home then great, but it can’t distract us. “If we can perform with this same character, we can make Edgar Street an uncomfortable place for any team.”