Gary Mickleborough is congratulated on scoring Hythe's goal at Hereford Picture: Gary Browne

by Alex Hoad

Hythe's FA Cup run came to an abrupt end with a 5-1 defeat away to Hereford on Saturday.

Despite vocal support from more than 250 travelling fans, Town fell behind after just seven minutes when Kent-born Richard Rose burst through a gap in the visitor's defence and wrong-footed Kieran Mann with a low drive.

It was 2-0 just over 10 minutes later when Rob Purdie dinked home after being put clean through by Tyler Weir.

Town fans were given something to celebrate when Gary Mickleborough latched onto a ball over the top to slot past Adam Bartlett on 26 minutes.

However, two goals in five minutes shortly before half-time ended the tie as a contest. Mathieu Manset grabbed his first with an acrobatic overhead kick from Stuart Fleetwood's deft cross and soon after, the burly front man bundled in his second from close range from a corner.

Hythe impressed after the break and, had referee Andy D'Urso seen Mickleborough being fouled just as he was about to shoot in the box, they may have had the chance to score a second.

However, in the end they were indebted to Mann, who denied the hapless Fleetwood on a hat-trick of occasions.

It was not until injury time that Fleetwood finally got on the scoresheet as he latched onto a quick free kick and slotted home from a tight angle to end Hythe's historic run.