HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling said going down to nine men against Stamford had an impact in a ‘positive way’ for his side during their 2-0 win.

Tom Owen-Evans had put the Bulls ahead in the first half before after the break Ben Pollock and Luke Haines were both shown red by referee Tom Bishop.

However, Owen-Evans scored a second before Hereford hung on to earn their place in the FA Trophy fifth round.

“It was a bit of a weird game obviously with two players sent off,” said Gowling.

“Normally when you go down to nine men away from home it makes a big impact on the game. It probably did in a positive way for us.

“We worked harder, we hustled and bustled and got the second goal with nine men. Credit to the lads they were disciplined, well organised.

“We started the game well going a goal up and that’s something we spoke about and we started really well today.

“The defensive display was excellent Jamie (Grimes) was an absolute man mountain in the middle. The lads were absolute excellent and I’m proud of all of them.

Lenell John-Lewis missed the tie after suffering a migraine while traveling to the match so was sent home leaving Owen-Evans playing the striker role on his own.

“Tom (Owen-Evans) scored last time he played down the middle,” added Gowling.

“He is a match winner and that’s what he is. He’s got silky skills, good feet and one thing does do is work hard.

“He gave them problems all day today. The first goal was an excellent first touch, swivel and finish.”

With the Bulls ahead Stamford were handed a route back into the game when Pollock was given a straight red for a foul on Harry Vince

“I didn’t think it was at the time, I thought he would give him a yellow card,” added Gowling.

“I think he was going to give him a yellow at first but their players have got around him (the referee). He has seen the glitz and glamour and given him a red card.

“We’ve had a look back at it and he (Ben Pollock) hasn’t really touch him to be honest. Ben is devastated in there and it actually looks like he’s pulled out.

“We’ll look at it and it’s something we might appeal as it didn’t really look like he made any contact at all.”

Luke Haines was then shown a second yellow card for dissent on 75 minutes before a minute later Owen-Evans doubled Hereford’s lead.

“Luke has just said to him ‘that wasn’t a foul’ and the referee didn’t like his tone,” added Gowling.

“He has given him a second yellow and sent him off which you don’t normally see. It is what it is and Luke (Haines) has got to work on that side of his game.

“I don’t believe he should have got sent off but he’s got to work on that side of the game and not get frustrated when he’s on a yellow already.

Hereford game a debut to Aston Villa loanee Callum Rowe who was kept busy in the full-back role all evening.

“He didn’t let a cross come in which is really pleasing,” added Gowling.

“In our analysis we looked at their two wide men who were threats and we covered them very well for the majority of the game.

“He was a quick lad but for Callum it was no problem at all. He’s stepped in after playing under-23 football and sometimes there is a question whether they can step into men’s football but I thought he was absolutely excellent.

“That was a real non-league battle and it will be good for his development. He’s grounded and just wants to play football.

“We’re really pleased to get him in and he can play in a couple of positions which I like from my signings in case we get injuries.

Gowling says his side will go ‘game by game’ starting with a home tie against Farsley Celtic in the National League North on Saturday before hosting York City next Tuesday night.

The Bulls will meet Leamington in the FA Trophy fifth round at Edgar Street on Saturday, February 6.