THE 900 or so who braved the elements at the Interlink Express Stadium deserve a huge pat on the back.

For not only did they have the damp conditions and chilly wind to contend with, but they were subjected to one of the most dire games of football served up at Accrington Stanley for some time.

With a notepad normally brimming with chances, descriptions of good moves and observations about spells of defending, I was scratching my head by half-time, struggling to find moments of interest to write about for either side.

Things improved, albeit slightly, in the second half, and at least Stanley can still say they are unbeaten in 2005. But the prospect of a long trip to Hereford for a replay tomorrow night is hardly a carrot to dangle.

And it had all looked so promising.

Okay, having your goalkeeper making a blunder after just 30 seconds wasn't the start that Stanley had in mind, but at least it was something to get the crowd going.

The Reds goalkeeper looked to have everything under control when he came out of his area to make a headed clearance, but the ball spun upwards off the top of his head. Had Adam Stansfield not been impeded just outside the box then the consequences would have been unthinkable.

However, after Danny Williams' deflected free kick, a further 20 minutes passed before anything of particular note happened.

It was Stansfield again who looked to make inroads but, after riding a challenge from Paul Howarth 15 yards out, he handled the ball as he stumbled back to his feet.

Stanley finally recorded their first shot on 25 minutes - although to call that a chance was tenuous at best as Rory Prendergast, a proposed target for Bristol Rovers, caught the ball awkwardly and saw it swerve well wide of the target.

It gave them something to build on in attack though, but Lee McEvilly was prevented from being a threat as he was cruelly brought down in full flight when Craig Stanley clipped his heels.

The Hereford midfielder received a yellow card for his misdemeanour, but it barely seemed sufficient with McEvilly spread-eagled on the turf clutching the back of his thigh.

The striker is a tough cookie though, so it was no surprise when normal service resumed for him. And with fire in his belly, Hereford players can count themselves lucky that they left the field in one piece.

Chances continued to be few and far between but in the main belonged to he visitors.

Williams' 25-yard free kick was missed by Ged Brannan but Robbie Williams, making his 200th Stanley appearance, was alert to clear inside the box. Flynn then got in the way to deny Williams once more, the left winger retrieved the ball but Stansfield couldn't make the most of his delivery back into the box.

The loudest applause of the afternoon was reserved for the referee when he unintentionally intercepted David Brown's square ball just outside the area as Hereford pressed again just before the break.

Thankfully, the second half was a bit brighter. And Stanley manager John Coleman would have been thanking his lucky stars that McEvilly managed to shake off another injury he picked up after he stabbed a shot into the ground in the third minute.

Crichton was twice brought into action after that, with Tony James' long, high free kick and Jamie Pitman's low shot, although both were comfortable for the stopper.

Coleman made a midfield shake-up with the double substitution of Steve Jagielka and Brannan for Paul Cook and Andy Procter. And Stanley's first corner of the game followed swiftly after in the 59th minute.

Cook then created the best chance for the Reds when his free kick from halfway found McEvilly to the right of the box, but his looping header dropped wide of the far post.

With three Stanley players all in double figures for goals for the season so far, it was surprising to see goalkeeper Crichton go the closest to breaking the deadlock. His long kick downfield dropped into the Hereford box and onto the crossbar, but Craig Mawson palmed it into the path of James before McEvilly had the opportunity to follow up.

As the game petered out, Coleman's men had the best of the late chances with Flynn twice going close with headers, while McEvilly was denied by a superb challenge by Ryan Green after bursting into the box.

But Coleman will demand more from his side as an attacking force as they bid to make progress in the competition.