The match had started in some sort of doubt though as United had the game taken to them with an excellent 14th minute goal from Craig Norman. He had collected the ball from a poor move by Chris Hargreaves and curled it superbly around Quy from all of 25 yards out.

Hereford were unmoved by this early goal and seemed quite happy to chase the game without really trying to get the equaliser although Leadbeater did head one over the bar before the break.

The bollocking from Graham Turner had some effect at the start of the second half, even if the equaliser came from an own goal. Colin Vowden was the culprit as he attempted to clear an excellent corner from Murray Fishlock which would have finished in the net anyway.

Just moments later Kettering were away again as Chris Pearson sprinted down the pitch with the ball at his feet, beating the entire United defence and then rounding Andy Quy to drive home his shot from a narrowing angle.

United were again chasing the game and some chosen words from Turner in the dug-out finally got them going.

A quick assault won them a corner which Brian McGorry stepped forward for. His cross flew high over the defence but the rising figure of John Brough met it at the back post and directed it home to equalise once more.

The clincher came in the dying minutes as United were eventually getting themselves sorted out. Ian Rodgerson combined well with Richard Leadbeater in a neat little one-two movement from the right wing, beating the defence, and giving Leadbeater the space he needed to drive home his shot from just outside the six yard box.

A poor performance on the whole which would have resulted in a costly defeat had they been playing anyone else. So often United have been complacent against teams who can quickly rise up and bite you.