Leicester fortunate to escape with win

Leicester City midfielder Muzzy Izzet finally ended the resistance of gallant Hereford United last night with an extra-time winner…

Leicester City midfielder Muzzy Izzet finally ended the resistance of gallant Hereford United last night with an extra-time winner after the Conference club had threatened a massive FA Cup upset at Filbert Street.

Hereford United were only 12 minutes away from surpassing their famous conquest of Newcastle in 1972 when Matt Elliott scrambled an equaliser.

It gave Leicester the chance of an extra 30 minutes to put away these noble underdogs. But, in truth, City had dug their way back into this tie through sheer effort and bloody-mindedness after Paul Fewings had put Hereford in front but it was a desperately close-run thing.

Leicester should still have had far too much for opponents of this stature, even accepting how well Hereford had defended and battled. Yet from the start the class gap was invisible as the home team began nervously at the back, inviting Turner's men to come on to them, an invitation they were only too eager to accept. They employed quick, incisive ball players on both flanks, had the ball in the net after 10 minutes when an off-side flag cut short Fewings first celebration and continued to grow in confidence as the Premiership side struggled.

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Paul Parry had come closest to avoiding the need for this replay with a shot against the woodwork 10 days ago. Gathering the ball now down the left, he held Robbie Savage at bay before drifting over across to the near post which persuaded Arphexad to leave his goal suicidally. The slightest of touches from Fewings was enough to divert the ball home.

Leicester: Arphexad, Taggart, Walsh (Impey 45), Izzet, Gunnlaugsson (Fenton 69), Savage, Elliott, Cottee, Oakes, Zagorakis (Campbell 59), Gilchrist. Subs Not Used: Hodges, Thomas. Booked: Gilchrist, Izzet. Goals: Elliott 78, Izzet 104.

Hereford: Jones, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, James, Parry, Taylor, Elmes (May 94), Williams, Fewings (Rodgerson 70). Subs Not Used: Wall, Ruddal, Clarke. Booked: Sturgess. Goals: Fewings 40.

Referee: M Dean (Eastham)