Heybridge Swifts 3, Hereford 0

SWIFTS produced one of the FA Trophy performances of the day to knock National League North Hereford out of the competition and secure a place in the third round.

In a season of memorable cup victories, this was a new high for manager Steve Tilson's side and afterwards he paid tribute to his players.

He said: "I thought everyone was different class today. We worked so hard. We've had a lot of games but to prduce the effort they have produced today is a credit to the players.

"And on top of that, three excellent goals. We are over the moon with the result and the performance.

"We probably hit Hereford on a day when they have had a few injuries and lads suspended but at the end of the day we had to do what we had to do and it was a fantastic performance."

Swifts made a bright start to the match and the first significant chance fell their way after ten minutes when Rob Harvey picked out Kieran Jones but his shot from the back post flew over the bar.

Harvey was proving to be a thorn in the side of the visitors and forced a good save from Hereford keeper Brad Wade.

The force was definitely with Swifts and they were rewarded with an opening goal on the half hour when Ben Sartain's floated cross drifted behind the Hereford defenders and Ross Wall was unchallenged as he stooped to head the ball down and past Wade.

It was a lead Swifts took into the second half and when play resumed they continued to dominate their illustrious visitors from two tiers above them in the non-League pyramid.

And on the hour Swifts found themselves in dreamland when Wall played in Rhys Henry and he held his nerve to curl the ball into the net.

On 71 minutes Swifts thought they had a third but Wall's effort was ruled out for offside, but just a couple of minutes later Harvey got the goal he deserved with a fine finish to ensure there were no nervous moments as time ticked away and Swifts were able to record a famous victory.