MANY Hereford United fans could argue that losing 3-2 to Newport Isle of Wight was the most embarrassing FA Cup defeat that they have witnessed.

But the 50 or so who witnessed last Saturday's capitulation against minnows Ellistown & Ibstock United may now add this game to the list.

Like the Newport game 14 years ago, Hereford were cruising and found themselves 2-0 up at the break.

But remarkably, the East Midlands County League Premier Division side – who play one league lower than Westfields – stormed back in the second half to shock the Bulls.

And, even after being gifted a penalty deep into injury time, Hereford failed to convert it to leave the Bulls' fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

It was the earliest time that Hereford had been knocked out of the FA Cup and the first time they had bowed out of the competition in the first qualifying round since 1945.

Bulls midfielder Bilal Yafai, who was one of only a few Hereford players who left the game with any credit, said that the team did not want it enough.

"You can tell that we had the better of the first half by a long shot and we could have been three or four nil up, but it didn't happen for us," said Yafai.

"We should never have let a 2-0 lead slip – we should have buried them.

"Everyone is telling me that I was the best player on the park, but it is not about one man who wins a game, it is about the team.

"We just have to bounce back and keep our heads."

Yafai is one of only a few players who started the season at Hereford.

A total of 29 players have now featured for Jon Taylor's men, but Yafai said that should not be used as an excuse.

"There are always going to be players coming in to try and improve the team, but it should never unsettle the team," said Yafai.

Hereford opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Serge Mo Diop got on the end of an Aboubakar Kone cross.

Yafai added a second six minutes before the break when his rasping drive was too powerful for Ellistown & Ibstock goalkeeper Aaron Harris.

But Ellistown & Ibstock were handed a life-line in the 52nd minute following a moment of madness by Hereford's Aliou Traore.

The midfielder picked up the ball after he expected the referee to award a free-kick after he was fouled outside the box.

But Ben Cooke instead pointed to the penalty spot and booked Traore for deliberate handball.

Ben Harris duly smashed the spot-kick home and within three minutes Ellistown & Ibstock drew level when Mander Bains swept the ball home after Adam Joynson saw his effort saved,

The home side then went in-front when a slip by Hereford's Gary O'Neill allowed Joynson to chip the ball over the on-rushing Williams.

Ellistown & Ibstock had chances to extend their lead and were almost made to rue them when Hereford were gifted a penalty in the 95th minute following a foul on Yafai.

But Roberts saw his spot-kick and moments later the referee blew for full-time to send the home bench wild.

Ellistown & Ibstock will now hope to slay another Herefordshire team after being drawn to face Bromyard Town at home in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.

"It biggest win in the club's history," said Ellistown & Ibstock chairman Andy Roach.

"I know Hereford is in a dilemma, but they were a big club in the past and we were the minnows.

"Hopefully we will now do the double over Herefordshire sides by beating Bromyard."

MATCH FACTS

Hereford: Williams, Roberts, Cutajar (Jivander 59) O'Neill, Gascoigne, O'Reilly, Traore, Hawker (Vetier 65), Diop, Kone (Fortnam-Tomlinson 46), Yafai. Subs not used: Ballard, Bobes-Gilroy, Akinde, Vinier.

Ellistown & Ibstock: A Harris, Ward, Bartle, Laywood, T Rowell, Timms, P Rowell (Chithza 46), B Harris, Lewis (Robinson 90), Rudkin (Bains 46), Joynson. Subs not used: Murray, Kyte, Wilkins, Smith.

Referee: B Cooke

Attendance: 200

Yellow cards: Hereford – Traore, deliberate handball, 52 min; Yafai, foul, 90; Ellistown & Ibstock – Laywood, foul, 33 min; Joynson, foul, 42 min