YUSIFU CEESAY’S second-half strike saw Hereford FC come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw and replay against Ilkeston Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round.
The Northern Premier League side took a surprise lead through Tom Cursons on the stroke of half-time but were pegged when Ceesay netted for the Bulls just past the hour mark.
Both sides had chances to win the game and avoid a replay, but neither were able to take them.
The first opportunity fell to Hereford after Chay Tilt controlled Andy Williams’ header before sliding in Ceesay at the edge of the area, but he could only drag his subsequent shot wide.
Paul Caddis’ side continued to search for an opening goal and went close when Alex Babos found the head of Matt Preston from a corner, forcing Owen Mason into a fine save.
Hereford were handed a chance to take the lead on 35 minutes when George Wilkinson’s clearance fell to Babos 18 yards out, but he could only send his shot over the bar.
However, Ilkeston capitalised on an error 10 minutes later when Sammy Robinson’s throw-in sold Matt Preston short, allowing Harvey Kirby-Moore to pounce and find Cursons who netted from six-yards.
Caddis made three changes at half-time, with substitute Ahkeem Rose latching onto Ceesay’s cross in the 56th minute but he was unable to direct his header goalwards.
It wasn’t long, though, before the Bulls were level when Rose’s shot ricocheted off the post and into the path of Ceesay who tapped in from 12 yards on 63 minutes to level the scores.
However, Ilkeston could have been back ahead following a mix-up between Howkins and Bulls skipper Lewis Hudson in the 75th minute which saw Cursons capitalise on the edge of the area but he was only able to flash an effort wide.
There were huge shouts for a penalty when Aaron Skinner went down in the box under Sam Parker’s challenge, but referee Neil Pratt deemed Skinner had dived and awarded a yellow card for simulation.
At the other end Ilkeston were inches away from retaking the lead with three minutes to go when Cursons was played through one-on-one with Aaron Chapman but he could only blaze his effort wide.
Hereford: Chapman, Robinson, Preston (Skinner 45’), Howkins, Hudson, Teixeira (D’ath 45’), Campbell, Babos (Rose 45’), Tilt (Matwasa 90’), Ceesay, Williams (Rooney 86’) Unused subs: Horton, Derricott
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