Hereford FC 2 AFC Fylde 2 (AFC Fylde win 4-3 on penalties): Coasters keep their nerve from the spot

After a 2-2 draw in normal time, Fylde secured their place in Monday’s draw as Pat Boyes saved one spot-kick and Corey Whelan slotted home the winner as the Coasters prevailed 4-3 in the shootout.

Craig Mahon’s side almost had the opener within 10 minutes as Tom Whelan backheeled the ball into the path of Luca Thomas, whose curling effort over Theo Richardson crashed off the bar.

Fylde took the opening 45 minutes to the home side and led just after the half-hour mark.

Lincoln McFayden cut out a Hereford cross from the left before Fylde played three quick and intricate passes which saw them charge down on goal.

The ball was spread wide to Ryan Colclough, who cut inside before his effort was blocked by a Hereford hand.

It left the referee with no choice but to award a penalty, which Danny Ormerod converted for his 20th goal in all competitions.

Fylde applied more pressure as Tom Whelan almost scored a second, cutting inside and looking to bend an effort into the far corner.

That was tipped around the post but, from the resulting corner, his delivery picked out Max Taylor who hooked an effort into the top corner for his second goal in as many games.

After a really strong opening 45 minutes for the Coasters, it was the hosts who started the second half with a point to prove.

They had a goal back within the opening minute, when a simple ball over the top found Lawson D’Ath – who had seen a first-half goal chalked off for offside – and he calmly slotted past Boyes.

With the hour mark looming, Danny Mayor was denied by Richardson before the ball was quickly switched to the other end where Boyes made a great stop to thwart the onrushing Justin Donawa.

Fylde introduced George Wilson and Jon Ustabasi before seeing Boyes make another outstanding stop as D’Ath produced a wonderful acrobatic effort.

Donawa tried his luck with another effort from the subsequent corner, clipping the top of the bar, as the Coasters retained their narrow lead.

Luke Hunter and Ethan Mitchell were also introduced with a little more than 10 minutes remaining, only for Hereford’s pressure to eventually pay off.

With three minutes of normal time left to play, Kyle Howkins saw a header cleared off the line before Lewis Hudson levelled from close range to force a penalty shootout.

Boyes saved the second Hereford penalty from Remaye Campbell before D’Ath blazed over the bar.

Ustabasi’s effort was saved as Fylde sought to wrap up the shootout, but Corey Whelan sent the fifth spot-kick into the top corner to seal their spot in the last 16.

Hereford FC: Richardson, Skinner, Quansah, Howkins, Hudson, D’Ath, Mafuta, Martin, Donawa, White, Williams (Campbell 52). Subs not used: Lewis, Preston, Rooney.

AFC Fylde: Boyes, McFayden, Taylor, Merrie, Thomas (Mitchell 75), Mayor (Wilson 61), Healy-Byrne, C Whelan, T Whelan, Colclough (Ustabasi 70), Ormerod (Hunter 80). Subs not used: Jones, Coates, McKay.