HEREFORD United crashed out of the FA Cup at the first attempt after a dismal showing in the competition which has brought so much glory over the years.

The Bulls rarely tested Glovers keeper Gareth Stewart, playing his first game for three years, while a Hereford old boy reminded them of his class.

Andy Williams struck a superb goal after 58 minutes to put Yeovil firmly in command when, at 1-0, Hereford still nurtured hopes of getting back into the game.

Hereford boss Jamie Pitman sprang a surprise by including Glenn Hoddle Academy youngster Sam Clucas as one of two changes from the side which played against Crawley.

Clucas was named to make his debut on the left of midfield and, with Steve Leslie and Tom Barkhuizen unavailable, James McQuilkin was on the other flank.

After the farcical toings-and-froings of the week, Bulls fans were relieved to see goalkeeper Dave Cornell named in the line-up.

Hereford pressed from the kick-off and, after a series of throw-ins from Rob Purdie on the right, Nathan Elder drilled a shot across goal and wide.

The big striker might have done better on four minutes, shooting over on the turn after a first-time cross from McQuilkin.

Yeovil responded with a fierce drive from Kieran Agard which flashed into the temporary seating behind Cornell’s goal.

A 35-yarder drive from Town skipper Paul Wotton then had Cornell grasping at the air as the ball flew just wide of the target.

Fine defending prevented a Hereford goal on 21 minutes.

Goalkeeper Gareth Stewart blocked a McQuilkin shot with Harry Pell’s follow-up effort blocked for a corner.

At the other end, Wotton, who evidently fancied his chances from distance, drilled a 30-yarder past Cornell’s left-hand post.

And it was a long-range effort which brought the opener on 26 minutes.

Ed Upson’s first effort was blocked but his follow-up from 25 yards screamed into the bottom corner of the net.

Hereford tried to hit back quickly and a skilful run by Nicky Featherstone ended with a shot which was deflected behind for a corner.

But Yeovil had another chance moments later when an Agard cross was just inches behind former Bull Andy Williams.

Play switched quickly back to the other end and Elder’s overhead kick was not far wide of Stewart’s goal.

Quality was sadly lacking for much of the time but Pell sent a cross-shot skidding wide on 41 minutes.

On 43 minutes, Yeovil won their first corner of the game.

Upson’s cross eluded everyone and Hereford were easily able to clear.

Hereford withdrew the ineffectual McQuilkin and Clucas at the interval and went with three up front, with Delroy Facey and Yoann Arquin coming on to support Elder.

The Bulls, though, still had some defending to do and only excellent work by Purdie prevented a second goal for Upson.

Elder’s header was grasped under the bar as the Bulls tried to assert themselves.

But a superb goal from the Edgar Street old boy put the Glovers firmly in command after 57 minutes.

Williams picked up the ball on the left and skated past Townsend and into the area before drilling a left-foot drive into the top corner of the net.

A blunder by Stewart presented Hereford with a corner.

But although Featherstone’s corner picked out Elder, the former Brentford man was unable to control his header and the ball went a long way wide.

Facey tested the keeper on 68 minutes with a bullet header from an Arquin cross which Stewart dived to save.

But on 69 minutes, an Upson corner almost brought a third Yeovil goal with the ball flashing through the six-yard box.

Another did arrive, however, on 73 minutes when Blizzard, who once scored against the Bulls after only 12 seconds of a match for Stockport, smashed home from 20 yards.

Hereford: 4-5-1: Cornell; Purdie, Green, Townsend, Heath; McQuilkin (Facey 46), Featherstone (Evans 82), Pell, Clist, Clucas (Arquin 46); Elder. Subs not used: D Williams, Dalibard, Lunt, Peniket.

Yeovil: 4-4-2: Stewart; Ayling, Huntington, N’Gala, Ehmer; Blizzard, Wotton, Johnson, Upson; A Williams, Agard. Subs not used: Edgar, Bell-Baggie, Gilbert, Belson, Gibson, Baggridge, Cafer.

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).

Attendance: 2,469 (including 348 from Yeovil).

Goals: Upson, 26 min, 0-1; Williams, 58 min, 0-2; Blizzard, 73 min, 0-3.

Yellow card: Hereford – Clist, foul, 61 min; Yeovil – Wotton, foul, 47 min; N’Gala, 66 min, dissent;