HEREFORD survived a test on Tamworth’s 3G surface to earn an FA Cup Replay back at Edgar Street.

In a game of few chances the Bulls came closest with Josh Gowling’s header looping onto the bar before Rowan Liburd’s saw his effort tipped onto the woodwork.

“It would have been nice to go through, it just means we have another game but the positive is that we’re in the competition still and we kept another clean sheet,” said Slade.

“There wasn’t too much in it. We had the better of the first half and perhaps deserved a narrow lead going into the interval and in the second half we didn’t create as many chances, albeit we still hit the woodwork twice in that second period.

“It’s the FA Cup and it’s about being in that next round. That’s three clean sheets on the bounce so we’re proving difficult to score against that’s for sure.

“I don’t think Brad (Hall) has had to make anything more than a routine save during that 90 minutes. That’s a pleasing sign that we are gelling together as a back four and defending very well.

“We perhaps need a bit more creativity and better decisions in that final third.

“We didn’t play as well on that surface as I thought we might, it suits some players more than others I have to say.

“It’s very different to playing on grass. The ball comes through to you on grass while it just sits up a little bit for you here. It’s about getting used to it and playing on it consistently all the time. In training we do play on a 3G pitch at Hartpury, it is an acquired thing to be playing on that particularly in proper matches.

“It’s a little bit different to training. You also tend to burn yourself a little bit sliding in, it’s not a great surface as the traction is very different to grass and mud.

“It was a difficult afternoon, they made it difficult for us and the man in the middle was very sensitive and very fair to the team at home.

“We had to be aware of that and make sure we didn’t do anything silly on the day.”

Tamworth also proved a threat with Aaron Forde blazing over in the first half before Jordan Gough forced Brandon Hall into action after the break.

Substitute Dan Creaney almost found an opener with a route one ball into the box which he controlled before Jordan Cullinane-Liburd cleared.

“It was a bit of a bombardment at times and I think we should have also got the ball down a little bit more but and we had opportunities to do that and see that,” added Slade.

“It’s recognising when to play fast and when to slow the game down to control the tempo and also when to play into the strikers and when to keep possession.

“It’s recognising those decisions and sometimes we get it wrong.”

The Bulls were cheered on by around 400 traveling fans.

“It was fantastic support today and I’m disappointed we haven’t gone straight through for them, added Slade.

“We have a chance at home to do that and I’m sure they will be right behind us to see us into the next round.”