GRITTY, battling Hereford bridged the ostensibly huge gap between non-league and Premiership soccer by holding the might of Leicester - they fielded nine internationals - to a well deserved draw in the third round of the FA Cup at Edgar Street on Saturday.

In fact, only a few millimetres of woodwork denied Conference minnows United a 67th-minute goal which might well have killed off City, lying sixth in the Premiership.

John Snape's interception and pass released 19-year-old winger Paul Parry on a run from deep in his own half. He surged past Scotland international Matt Elliott, beat Andrew Impey for pace, and unleashed a left-footed 16-yard shot which flashed past the despairing dive of former England keeper Tim Flowers and thudded against an upright.

The Chepstow-born youngster, whose progress is being tracked by a number of clubs, including Coventry City, had the compensation of seeing his near miss highlighted on BBC 1's Match of the Day programme. And, after showing an incident when Parry completely bamboozled Welsh international Rob Savage, TV pundit Alan Hansen, ex-Liverpool and Scotland, pronounced it as 'unbelievable skill'.

Before that Hereford had to weather some intense first-half pressure as Leicester forced nine corners in all. The Foxes started with the intention of blitzing the Conference side out of the game in the first 20 minutes. Skipper Ian Wright blocked a goal-bound shot from England striker Emile Heskey, keeper Mark Jones turned a low drive from Muzzy Izzet for a flag-kick, while Paul Sturgess cleared a shot from ex-England international Tony Cottee off the line.

After that, however, United stood their ground steadfastly and, although Jones was kept active handling crosses, he was not seriously tested again. United's occasional forays into opposition territory, such as when Paul Fewings called Flowers into action with a shot on the turn and Snape was not far off target following the home side's most constructive move so far, were greeted with rapturous applause.

That applause became a veritable roar as, with the slope and wind in their favour in the second period, the Bulls pinned the Foxes in their lair. Three quick corners ruffled City's defence. And, just before Parry almost broke the stalemate, Fewings robbed Elliott but his shot lacked pace and Flowers gathered it comfortably.

City responded with headers which flew over the bar from Heskey and Gerry Taggart, while Jones dropped to his knees to clutch a shot from Izzet.

By now, Hereford were in no mood to let City snatch a win, however. Their indomitable spirit was typified by part-timer, and tie sponsors Bulmers' man-of-the-match, John Snape, a Kings Norton electrician. He harried and hustled, as well as distributing the ball simply and effectively. He did have the sparks flying briefly, though, when he over enthusiastically felled Izzet and was yellow carded.

Keeper Jones gave a 'you score over my dead body display', and Wright and Tony James were superb in blunting the cutting edge of Cottee and Heskey. Right-back Chris Lane scarcely gave a look-in for Steve Guppy, who played in every minute of Leicester's Premiership soccer last season, while Sturgess gave away little ground on the other flank.

Veteran midfielder Mark Taylor has had a few sleepless nights with his three-week old son, Ethan, but, nevertheless, worked tirelessly. Gavin Williams showed flashes of creativity and, like Parry, was always willing to track back to defend when necessary.

Strikers Fewings and Rob Elmes were given few scoring chances by Elliott, Taggart, and Steve Walsh, who replaced the injured Frank Sinclair in the seventh minute, but they never allowed the three vastly experienced defenders a second's relaxation.

When the referee blew for time before United could take a free-kick from a dangerous position, it was the home team who threw up their hands in frustration and City who sighed with relief.

Hereford: Jones, Lane, Wright, James, Sturgess, Williams, Snape, Taylor, Parry, Elmes, Fewings, (Rodgerson 79 min). Subs not used: Wall, Siddaway, Clarke, May.

Leicester: Flowers, Elliott, Taggart, Sinclair (Walsh 7 min), Impey, Savage, Lennon, Izzet, Guppy, Cottee, Heskey. Subst not used: Gilchrist, Oakes, Hodges, Zagorakis.

Referee: M Dean (Heswall, Wirral)

Attendance: 7,795.