ANOTHER chapter in Hereford United's remarkable FA Cup story was written yesterday as Wrexham joined the long list of clubs who have learned that league status counts for nothing on such days at Edgar Street.

Ever since Ronnie Radford almost broke the back of the Newcastle net nearly 30 years ago, the Nationwide Conference side have always been likely to send shivers down the backs of more illustrious opponents.

And Hereford did not disap-point BBC guests that included John Motson who made his name as a rookie commentator at Edgar Street in 1972.

Ian Wright will never have as cherished a place in Here-ford's history as that of Radford, fellow goalscorer Ricky George or, for that matter, Colin Addison - the Bulls' player-manager at the time who civic leaders later named a nearby street after.

But Wright`s eighth-minute decider heaped further despair on a Wrexham side who have now lost six games in a row and are showing few signs of arresting a slide that has taken them to the bottom of Division Two.

However, even Wright lost out in the man-of-the-match stakes to goalkeeper Matthew Baker who was in inspirational form throughout to spoil the 54th birthday celebrations of Red Dragons manager Denis Smith.

Baker was at Elland Road as a youngster but Leeds United preferred to persevere with England Under-21 goalkeeper Paul Robinson instead and Wrexham, themselves regular giant-killers in the past, had cause to regret that decision as the 21-year-old made a series of wonderful saves.

"We had enough chances to win the game time and time again," said Smith. "You could go through every chance we had and say that we should have scored.

"We controlled the game but goals change games and we've conceded another miracle goal. Can't somebody not score great goals against us? OK, they worked it well but the lad hit it great to leave his team-mate with a tap-in."

In the first FA Cup meeting between the two clubs, the ferocity of Hereford's start unsettled Wrexham and the unmarked Scott Voice was left holding his head after failing to convert Paul Parry's inviting second-minute free-kick to the far post.

Keith Hill's header towards his own goal also had Kristian Rogers - back in action after a month out with groin trouble - scrambling but, even though that cleared the crossbar, Wrexham could not survive the resulting corner.

Ironically, the goal was made in Wales as Chepstow-born Parry picked out fellow Welshman Gavin Williams on the edge of the area and his fierce 20-yard drive crashed against the bar. But the rebound was kind to Hereford and Wright showed the composure of his namesake, the former England and Arsenal striker, to stroke the ball into an empty net with Rogers still probably looking for the first shot.

Wright's goal prompted Wrexham to force the tempo and they were well-served by the pace of Michael Blackwood and Robin Gibson down the flanks.

In the absence of the suspended Lee Trundle, Hector Sam and Craig Faulconbridge were a bright partnership and openings arrived at a healthy rate. Sam hit the base of an upright after a neat inter-change with Faulconbridge, who then headed over.

Baker twice denied Faulcon-bridge before the break, pushing away his cross-shot and then producing an incredible stop from close range after Gibson's centre had set up the striker for what seemed a certain equaliser.

Wrexham continued to press after the interval and there were claims for a penalty when Black-wood's surge into the area appeared to be stopped by the foot of full-back John Shirley.