HOPES of another episode in Hereford's famous giant-killing history were dashed as the Bulls were comfortably seen off by their League Two visitors.

With Stockport struggling near the foot of the Football League, Hereford, despite their Conference status, were widely seen as favourites to make the third round draw.

But instead County went into the hat with the Premiership big boys after Hereford failed to produce anything like their best form.

The Bulls' dismal showing drew a blast from boss Graham Turner.

"We have betrayed the giant-killing tradition of this club," he said. "We were awful."

It was hard to argue with the United chief's assessment after Hereford handed Stockport their opening goal on a plate and then rarely looked as if they had the cutting edge to fight back.

The Bulls could hardly have made a worse start when they gifted a goal to their opponents for the second week in a row.

Tamika Mkandawire dithered on the ball to allow Jermaine Easter to steal it away from him.

The County top scorer raced to the edge of the box before powering in a shot which flew into the net off the underside of the bar.

Hereford then had plenty of good pressure without ever seriously testing County goalkeeper James Spencer.

Guy Ipoua missed badly with one effort then sent a volley inches wide.

Jamie Pitman blasted high and wide from 25 yards, while Andy Williams saw a shot deflected into Spencer's arms.

Immediately after the break, two efforts inside the first 60 seconds -- a blocked Williams shot and Purdie's follow-up into Spencer's arms -- raised hopes of a revival.

This, however, proved in vain as County extended their lead with a goal from nothing after 57 minutes.

Michael Wolski let fly with a shot from 35 yards to which goalkeeper Craig Mawson reacted late as it screamed into the net.

A third goal then seemed on the cards when Alex Jeannin was judged to have brought down Matt Hamshaw inside the area.

Referee Jarnail Singh had previously waved away United appeals when Williams was bundled over in the box and was later similarly dismissive of County's hopes when Mkandawire handled in the box.

This time, however, Singh pointed to the spot but Mawson dived to keep out Easter's penalty and the rebound was blasted over by Ross Greenwood.

Even this failed to bring Hereford to life and the Bulls looked no more likely to claw a goal back in the closing stages, despite the arrivals of Adam Stansfield and Jon Brady in a bid to pep up the attack.

HEREFORD: Mawson, Green, James, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Carey-Bertram (Brady 81) Stanley, Pitman, Purdie, Ipoua (Stansfield 62), Williams. Subs not used: Bagnall, Beckwith, Ferrell,

STOCKPORT: Spencer, Greenwood, Clare, Raynes, Robinson, Singh, Wolski, Boshell (Allen 86), Hamshaw, Bramble, Easter. Subs not used: Duncan, Crowe, Williams, Malcolm.

ATTENDANCE: 3,620.