ROY EVANS said a half-time roasting had been necessary to force his players out of their first-half daze against Hereford United.

The director of football is not known as a man to rant and rave but the normally cool exterior disappeared as he told his players to buck up their ideas.

He said: "They needed to be told and we had a pop at them in the dressing room.

"They had to go and win the second balls. We were being too nice out there.

"Sometimes in football you have to be physical, in order to give you the right to play."

Evans said he was pleased with the way his side responded, although he was not able to relax until the final whistle.

He said: "I was anxious throughout the game. Even when we went in front, we had to be careful and not do anything silly."

The director of football was delighted to see Paul Edwards get off the mark at last.

It was the Mancunian's first goal in 11 starts since arriving at the County Ground in the summer.

He said: "I think we should have got the ball to him more often so he could have caused more damage but he lashed one in nicely.

"It was good to see Bobby Howe on the scoresheet as well after being out for a few weeks."

Evans hailed Gavin Williams' first-half strike for Hereford but felt the player should not have had so much time to shoot.

He said: "It was a great strike but we didn't have people closing him down."

But Evans praised the visitors.

He said: "Hereford did themselves credit. They came here and battled away.

"After going 1-0 down they fought back and we had a smashing cup tie.

"They got level and then their lad's got above Matty Heywood to put them in front.

"That's why words had to be said at half time. Fortunately, the players produced what was required and ensured we were in the hat for the next round.

"Now, we have to keep going and try and see how far we can get in the competition."

Evans felt Town had been denied a clear cut penalty when Eric Sabin was brought down but he said it was another example of a lack of consistency from officials.

Twice Sabin went down but on both occasions the referee dismissed claims for a spot kick.

He said: "There were one or two strange decisions throughout the game that we weren't happy with but you don't know where you are with officials at the moment."