​The much-anticipated fixture saw a crowd of nearly 4,000 spectators pack into Penydarren Park and around 800 from Hereford The Martyrs came into the game as the in-form side in the league with 10 wins in their previous 11 league games. Hereford’s goalkeeper Theo Richardson was kept on his toes early on and produced a brilliantly save to turn curling Lewys Twamley effort around the post. However, he was helpless to the home side’s 28th minute opener when defender Howkins’ backwards header lacked enough pace to reach his goalkeeper and leading scorer Ricardo Rees pounced to score his 25th goal of the season. Merthyr had further chances before the break with Twamley having a shot deflected over the bar before former Hereford under-18 youngster Cawley Cox fired wide. Harley Hamilton led Hereford’s response resulting in L-Lani Edwards crashing an effort against the upright before half-time. The Martyrs almost doubled their lead after the break with Tom Handley crashing an effort against the post before minutes later forcing Richardson into a fine save. Hereford were providing an improved showing and skipper Lewis Hudson found a 58th minute equaliser from inside the area. The Bulls now had momentum with Andy Williams forcing a save before substitute Sam Osborne sent an effort over. However, it was Merthyr who regained their lead on 78 minutes when Rees’ cross picked out Cole Jarvis to head home. Hereford threw everything at an equaliser and Andy Williams saw his strike fly back off the crossbar. With the last throw of the dice Caddis’ side had their equaliser with Howkins sending his looping header past the goalkeeper. Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Quansah, Howkins, Hudson, Richards (D’Ath 76), Mafuta (Campbell 85), Edwards (Osborne 56), Hamilton, White, Williams. Unused subs: Lewis, Preston, Nto, McFarlane