David Williams and Steve Hunter report from Prenton Park

TRANMERE Rovers, firmly entrenched in the Nationwide League Division One relegation dogfight, face a make or break FA Cup trip to take on non-league club Hereford United, on Sunday, in a third round tie they dare not lose (kick-off 12noon).

The famous Hereford bull is paraded around the Edgar Street ground before each game - and John Aldridge's team should be under no illusions about the pedigree of the opposition, who achieved lasting fame in the '70s for an unforgettable FA Cup defeat of mighty Newcastle United.

Ellesmere Port-born Graham Turner, the man who steered Wolves from the depths of the old Division Four to the heights of Division One, is Hereford's director of football - and he will certainly be looking to end Tranmere's hopes of reaching the fourth round and, possibly, a much-needed money-spinning draw against a Premier League club.

Tranmere chairman Mr Frank Corfe is by no means impressed with the decision, on police advice, to put the game back 24 hours with a mid-day start. "It's a ludicrous decision," he said. "If the police can not control a game between Hereford and Tranmere on a Saturday, what chance of Hereford got should they return to the Nationwide League?"

The Vauxhall Conference club, relegated from the League on the last day of last season, represent a tricky hurdle for Rovers, who are expected to win. Tranmere, though, have not won a match since a 3-1 Prenton Park victory over Stoke City last November.

Contract rebel Graham Branch has joined Second Division Wigan Athletic on a month's loan. Branch, who refused new terms at Tranmere, was told by Mr Aldridge he wouldn't play in the Tranmere first team again. The Wirral-born player joined Wigan on Christmas Eve, and played against Wrexham on Boxing Day. It could pave the way for a permanent move.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.