IF this was a failure then what a glorious one it was.

The magnificent Bulls came within 13 minutes of writing another marvellous chapter in their illustrious FA Cup history before bowing out in injury time in their third round replay at Filbert Street.

It was some measure of Hereford's energy and commitment that it took Premiership side City 194 minutes over the two games to gain the lead against opponents more than 90 places below them in the football pyramid.

And the relief etched on the faces of the Foxes supporters as they cheered Hereford off at the end told its own story.

They will now be the ones heading for Highbury on January 8. But it could so easily have been the noisy band of Hereford fans who cheered their team relentlessly on and were sent into fits of almost apoplectic delight after 40 minutes.

In truth, Hereford's opener is unlikely still to be shown on our TV screens in 30 years time in the manner of the great Radford goal, but it will no doubt merit a showing or two on Paul Fewings' video machine.

The former Hull striker timed his run to the near post with precision as Paul Parry rounded Robbie Savage and slung over his cross. Fewings' touch was just sufficient to defeat stand-in keeper Pegguy Arphexad for his 11th goal of the season.

Heroics by Mark Taylor and Rob Elmes prevented an equaliser in the opening stages of the second half and, as United withstood wave after wave of Leicester attacks, the belief seemed to be growing that a trip to Highbury might be within their grasp.

But then, on 77 minutes, Mark Jones dived but was unable to hold on as substitute Graham Fenton powered in a header. City skipper Matt Elliott was in the right place to lash home the equaliser.

The magnificent Tony James and Paul Sturgess, the inspirational Ian Wright and the excellent Chris Lane in the Hereford defence rallied their side once again but 14 minutes into extra-time came the crucial blow.

Robbie Savage, who was superb in the Leicester midfield, broke away from inside the Hereford half and slipped the ball to Tony Cottee. The ex-England man made ground on the right and dragged the ball back for Muzzy Izzet, surely himself an England regular before long, to slot the ball under Jones for the winner.

But even then it wasn't all over. Two minutes from the end, Mark Taylor's corner was hooked towards goal by Ian Wright and, as Gavin Williams strove to get the final touch, the ball was hacked off the line to safety.

"Hereford were fantastic," said Leicester manager Martin O'Neill afterwards. He's never been more right.

Hereford: Jones, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, James, Parry, Taylor, Elmes (May 94 min), Williams, Fewings (Rodgerson 71 min). Subs not used: Wall, Rudall (gk), Clarke.

Leicester: Arphexad, Taggart, Elliott, Gilchrist; Savage, Gunnlaugsson (Fenton 70 min), Izzet, Zagorakis (Campbell 60 min), Oakes; Walsh (Impey 46 min), Cottee. Subs not used: Hodges (gk), Thomas.

Referee: M L Dean (Wirral).

Attendance: 12,157.