HATTERS RESCUED BY FRANK’S SPOT-KICK
FRANK Mulhern’s third goal in two games courtesy of the penalty spot earned Stockport County a draw in a game they really should have won.
The home side had just the better of the first half, Hereford failing to register a shot of any sort.
County started brightly. Darren Stephenson’s far post downward header was palmed back to him by Derby County loanee keeper Matt Yates. Stephenson tried to pull the ball back for Mulhern but was inaccurate in execution.
Hereford had a glimmer of hope when a mix-up in the Hatters defence let another loan signing, George Lloyd from Cheltenham Town, in but Scott Duxbury used all his experience to send him wide and snuff out the danger.
Matty Warburton showed a bit of class when he inexplicably wriggled his way through the Hereford defence but at the crucial moment the ball ran away from him.
With their first effort on target Hereford took the lead shortly after the break. Harvey Smith rose highest from Eliot Richards’ free kick and his bullet header found the bottom corner.
County’s Elliot Osborne found Mulhern with a great through ball but the striker couldn’t find Stephenson with the goal at his mercy.
County were desperately trying to exert some pressure, Ash Palmer nearly headed down to Mulhern but the ball would not bounce in the home side’s favour.
They got back into the game when Stephenson’s low cross was handled in the area by Billy Murphy. Mulhern stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty home.
The Hatters stepped it up but Stephenson’s shot into the top tier of the Cheadle End was not the accuracy they were looking for.
Hereford’s substantial away following went home happier with the point than the County faithful.
Richards was delighted with his side’s efforts.
“I’m very delighted with the performance, the boys have taken on board what we’ve been trying to put in place over the last ten days. We’re obviously gutted not t come away with the three points but we’ve been defending for long periods.
“Having looked back at the replay, unfortunately it was a penalty for the handball incident.”
County manager Jim Gannon was not happy with several aspects of his team’s performance, feeling they should have got more than a point from the contest after not delivering on their training ground plans from earlier in the week.
“I think it was lack of quality in terms of how we approached the final third,” he said.
“The players don’t realise that some of the things we do in training makes better opportunities for the players.”
STAR MAN: Calvin Dinsley (H’ford) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★