Peacock leaves it late to send Swindon through

Lee Peacock's 84th-minute winner completed Swindon Town's comeback in this Johnstone's Paint Trophy second-round tie.

The Scot has been playing in central midfield lately but has spent most of his career as a striker – and he showed his ability to arrive late and finish clinically when he latched on to substitute Anthony McNamee's low left-wing cross.

Earlier, Swindon had fallen behind to another goalkeeping howler. Boss Maurice Malpas sprang a surprise by dropping goalkeeper Phil Smith, having stated the day before that he would name the same team that drew 3-3 at Hartlepool on Friday.

Smith had let a soft free-kick through his arms at Victoria Park, and his replacement Peter Brezovan fumbled Matt Done's tame effort over the line to give the Bulls the lead last night.

The Robins needed Simon Cox's 10th goal of the season to draw them level in first-half stoppage-time.

Hereford made six changes to their League One side, with Nick Chadwick coming in up front. But it was his strike partner, the former Swindon striker Moses Ashikodi, who fired the first shot wide inside the opening minute.

The visitors' first effort came when young centre-half Sean Morrison nodded a corner past the far post. At the other end, Simon Johnson forced a save from Brezovan when the right-winger played a one-two with Ashikodi and fired a low shot that the keeper parried to safety.

That was almost Ashikodi's last action as he appeared to tweak a hamstring and was replaced by on-loan Bristol Rovers man Andy Williams.

The game sparked into life when Cox's overhead volley was deflected narrowly over the bar. Hereford cleared the corner and broke the deadlock with Done's innocuous shot that Brezovan somehow failed to catch, allowing the ball to just bounce over the goal-line.

Swindon's initial reply was ineffective, as Michael Timlin's weak free-kick was easily saved by Craig Samson. The Bulls counter-attacked to good effect with Clint Easton releasing Williams, who rounded Brezovan, but saw his shot from a narrow angle cleared off the line by Morrison.

Persistence from Peacock and Jack Smith at a free-kick helped Cox to get the equaliser, as he latched on to a loose ball and fired home a low shot from inside the box.

It was always likely that a goal would come from a set-piece as referee Steve Bratt had punctuated the first half with seemingly incessant use of the whistle.

After the break Cox tried his luck from 20 yards with his left foot but the shot flashed wide, and Timlin's similar effort a few minutes later also had Craig Samson pedalling to his left as it narrowly missed the target.

Cox got closer on the hour mark when Peacock chested the ball down to him, but the former Reading man's volley was deflected behind. From the corner Peacock headed straight at Samson.

Williams blazed over in a rare Hereford attack before Swindon brought on winger McNamee for Lilian Nalis in a move that saw Timlin switch inside.

McNamee's first touch almost brought a winner as he swung in a deep ball to the far post and Cox headed wide when he should have scored.

However, Peacock made no mistake with six minutes to go to ensure Swindon did not need penalties for the second tie running.

Hereford United (4-4-2): Samson; Jackson, Broadhurst, Beckwith, K Taylor; Johnson, O'Leary, Easton, Done (Hudson-Odoi 84); Chadwick, Ashikodi (Williams 29). Subs not used: Breen, Gwynne, MacLeod.

Swindon Town (4-4-2): Brezovan; Amankwaah, Morrison, Ifil, J Smith; Easton, Nalis (McNamee 77), Peacock (McGovern 90), Timlin; Paynter (Corr 71), Cox. Subs not used: P Smith, Casal.