ARSENAL under-23s recovered from conceding a shock early goal and showed their talent during a 3-1 win at Hereford’s Edgar Street.

When Tyrone Barnett slotted home his first goal in a Bulls shirt after just 36 seconds a crowd of 2,456 sensed an upset.

However, Arsenal showed their sharpness with James Sweet heading home and equaliser on 13 minutes before a quick counter-attack allowed Joel Ideho to put his side ahead.

Hereford had chances to draw level with a trialist forward coming closest rattling the crossbar.

However, the tie was sealed with a third goal with 20 minutes remaining with Khayon Edwards slotting home a loose ball.

LIVE BLOG: Hereford FC v Arsenal under-23 minute by minute updates

As it happened

The Bulls started with a bang taking the lead on 36 seconds after Ryan McLean won a loose ball before finding marksman Tyrone Barnett who chipped the ball home.

McLean was causing problems early on driving at the Arsenal defence before seeing his shot deflected into the palms of goalkeeper Tom Smith.

However, Arsenal soon got into their stride and Zack Awe headed a corner off the crossbar.

The visitors were level on 13 minutes after Joel Ideho created space before finding James Sweet who headed the ball home.

Just three minutes later Arsenal were ahead hitting on the counter-attack at pace through Billy Vigar who crossed for Ideho to make it 2-1.

A strong Hereford first half team remained in the game and Harry Pinchard picked out Miles Storey with a peach of a cross but the marksman fired wide on the volley

With the last play of the first half Storey went close again with McLean again the provider picking out his team-mate at the back post who saw his headed effort cleared off the line by the last defender.

At the half-time break Arsenal made a host of changes while Hereford made just one with Burton Albion defender Thierry Latty-Fairweather coming on for Jack Evans.

The front Hereford partnership were in again on 57 minutes with Storey playing McLean into the box but the young winger held onto the ball and Arsenal recovered.

On the hour mark Hereford made nine changes with all the substitutes now on the pitch including six trialists.

Justice Campbell picked out a trialist forward who rattled the crossbar with his headed effort.

Hereford were punished for missing their changes with Arsenal scoring a third goal after 70 minutes.

Kido Taylor-Hart put a ball into the Hereford box which goalkeeper Seb Osment failed to hold and Khayon Edwards was on hand to finish.

Osment was on hand to deny Marcelo Flores who showed quick feet and then saw his effort saved well.