FORMER Hereford United and Cheltenham Town striker Steve Guinan has backed the Bulls to beat the Robins and set-up an FA Cup third round clash against Everton.

The 36-year-old, who scored Cheltenham’s winner in their 2006 play-off final victory over Grimsby at the Millennium Stadium, reckons Martin Foyle’s men were the better team in last Monday’s second round match at Whaddon Road and is tipping them to succeed in Tuesday’s replay.

Premier League Everton await the winners and that match will be shown live by ESPN on Monday, January 7.

Guinan, who now plays for Kidderminster Harriers, said: “People may have looked at the respective league tables of Hereford and Cheltenham and thought this tie would be a stroll for Cheltenham.

“But it’s always going to be hard fought and it’s about which team can best handle the big occasion.

“I think it will be a 3-2 scoreline and I think Hereford will be the favourites — they are at home and will have a big crowd behind them.” Guinan, also head coach of the Great Britain students team, was impressed with Kidderminster’s Blue Square Bet Premier rivals.

He added: “In the first-half, I thought that Cheltenham had the better of things.

Hereford did extremely well to score when they did and were solid and well organised.

“Cheltenham had a lot of possession in the second-half without doing too much with it. I think Cheltenham will probably feel relieved to have got away with a draw.”

l Hereford have sold 2,500 tickets for Tuesday night’s replay.

Sales continue today between 10am and 3pm, and although the game is not all-ticket for Bulls supporters, fans are strongly advised to purchase tickets in advance.