HEREFORD United marched into the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy with a comfortable 4-0 win last night over Chesham United.

The Bulls took their chances in an entertaining third round replay to book a home tie with Hampton and Richmond Borough on February 2.

Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson opened the scoring, and second-half strikes from Paul Parry, Gavin Williams and substitute Steve Piearce killed off the spirited Buckinghamshire visitors.

To be fair, The Generals threatened Hereford's defence on several occasions but were let down by poor finishing.

Wayne Andrews twice got behind the home defence, while former United striker Paul Fewings missed a simple close-range header in the 52nd minute which would have levelled the scores.

The visitors' frustration boiled over in the 82nd minute when Victor Boyle-Renner was sent off after he seemed to dispute Hereford's controversial fourth goal and then push referee Gary Chapman.

Perhaps Boyle-Renner had a reason to feel aggrieved, initially, because Piearce did appear to flatten defender Gary Wotton before he coolly slotted the ball past the impressive Delroy Preddie. But the midfielder could hardly justify his unruly reaction that brought about his red card.

Hereford dominated the early stages and took the lead in the 15th minute. James Quiggin failed to connect with an overhead kick and Matt Clarke's right-wing cross instead fell to the hard working Robinson who hooked the ball home.

Williams and Quiggin both had chances to extend the Bulls' advantage, although Chesham fought back in the final 20 minutes of the first period and Andrews missed three good opportunities.

Hereford doubled their lead in the 54th minute when Williams released Parry on the left and the winger cut inside Lee Kersey and then fired a right-foot shot across Preddie and into the far corner.

It was a fine piece of skill by the 21-year-old but only seconds before Hereford were indebted to Matt Baker who pulled off a vital point-blank save from Richard Graham.

Williams scored Hereford's third goal in the 71st minute with an eight-yard chip which deceived two Chesham defenders on the line.

Hereford: Baker 8, Clarke 7 (M Williams 72), Shirley 6, Robinson 8, Wright 7, James 8, Rodgerson 7 (Kevan 79), Snape 6, Quiggin 6 (Piearce 62, 7), G Williams 9, Parry 8. Subs (not used): Cooksey.

Attendance: 1,075.