Crawley Town 1 Hereford United 1

Last updated : 17 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

A free-kick by Charlie Mapes four minutes from time earned Conference new boys Crawley a point against Hereford United at the Broadfield Stadium.

The Bulls dominated most of the game and took the lead through Adam Stansfield, but paid the price for a lapse in concentration.

Hereford put the home side on the back foot virtually straight from kick-off and could have been two up in the first five minutes.

David Brown scuffed a shot wide from the edge of the box after being found with a right-wing cross from Simon Travis.

Stansfield then headed a centre from Mark Robinson straight at Crawley keeper, Andy Little, after being left unmarked in the six-yard box.

Crawley almost took a surprise lead on 18 minutes when Ian Simpemba was left all alone at a corner and forced Jonathan Gould into a full-length save.

Hereford deservedly made the breakthrough three minutes before half-time. Travis was released down the right and crossed for Stansfield to glance a powerful header into the bottom corner.

The visitors should have made it two five minutes after half-time. Crawley midfielder Neil Jenkins lost possession in his own area and Stansfield blasted his shot high and wide.

Crawley snatched a share of the spoils thanks to a clever piece of quick thinking by Mapes.

The former Wycombe midfielder took a free-kick while Hereford were still lining up their wall and saw it sneak in despite a desperate attempt by Tony James to clear the ball off the line.