HEREFORD were left licking their wounds after a second half Scott Bakkor brace sealed Stafford Rangers a 3-2 victory in their FA Cup second round qualifying tie.
Aaron Downes’ side came into their opening cup game of the season full of confidence after seven wins in eight league games took them top of the National League North last weekend – following a 6-0 win against promotion hopefuls South Shields.
They came up against a Boro side going well in the Northern Premier League West – two divisions below Hereford.
However, the visit of Hereford caught the imagination of the Stafford crowd and a bumper gate of over 3,000 attended Marston Road.
Hereford quietened the home crowd early on and Luke Spokes sent a curling effort just over.
The Bulls then opened the scoring on the 23rd minute when a lovely cross from Jordan James found the head of striker Danny Waldron to score.
However, Stafford remained in the match and Jack Birch saw an effort fly just wide, which had goalkeeper Theo Richardson worried.
At half-time momentum shifted after Downes’ decided to take off full-back Joseph James in a change of shape and move Preston Bitemo out wide.
Rangers took advantage of a disjointed Hereford defence and were level just three minutes into the second half with Wealth Da Silva skipping clear of Bitemo, before crossing for Bakkor to net.
Hereford struggled to deal with the long throw-ins of Tom Tonks and one dropped down to Bakkor whose lobbed effort was tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Boro skipper Andrew Burns remained a threat from set-pieces and he headed over as the home side had all the momentum.
Downes introduced Notts County loanee Harrison Iwunze and the youngster had an immediate impact, running through on goal only to be denied by goalkeeper Leon Phillips.
With 14 minutes remaining Rangers took the lead after Bakkor beat Bitemo and was brought down by Spokes inside the penalty area, with Jack Birch dispatching the resulting penalty.
Bakkor completed a sublime second half performance with 10 minutes remaining with a curling strike which sent Marston Road wild.
Hereford threw everything forward in search of a way back into the game and Iwunze played strike partner Cawley Cox through on goal, but he was also denied by goalkeeper Phillips.
With a minute left on the clock the Bulls made it 3-2 after Spokes find Cox to reduce his side’s arrears.
Despite throwing players forward Hereford were unable to find an equaliser at the death and Stafford held on for a famous victory.
Hereford leave this year’s FA Cup with just £1,125 in prize money and a share of the gate receipts at Marston Road.
The Bulls are now set to be without a league game on Saturday, October 3, while their league rivals fight for their places in the lucrative competition.
Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Kandola, Merrett, Tustin (Roberts 81), Waldron (Iwunze 66), Spokes, Williamson (Cox 45), James (Howkins 45), Bitemo, Phillips
Unused subs: Willis, Lewis, Tolley.
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