PAUL MULLIN shot down Watford’s young guns in extra-time to set up a dream home FA Cup fourth round tie with Manchester United.
Rovers sub Mullin headed home just before the end of the first period of extra-time to send most of Prenton Park into dreamland.
Paul Mullin scored the winner in the 104th minute of the matchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Under-fire United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must now take his stuttering Reds to Merseyside on Sunday as the League One strugglers will surely fancy another seismic knockout blow.
There had been no surprises when Hornets boss Nigel Pearson’s team featured 11 changes from the one beaten by Aston Villa in the Premier League 48 hours earlier.
A very youthful line-up, as Pearson had hinted beforehand, featured four youngsters making their first starts.
Watford’s three big name starters were defenders Christian Kabasele and Jose Holebas, and front-man Andre Gray.
Despite the 47 places between the teams, Rovers dominated possession, though Watford were clearly set to be a constant threat on the break.
Watford livewire Joao Pedro, on his first start, weaved towards the Rovers box before his strike was blocked by giant defender Manny Monthe.
Micky Mellon’s Tranmere side posed their own threat in the 20th minute when former Villa junior Corey Blackett-Taylor burst down the left flank before crashing a left-footed strike past the angle.
The League One outfit then saw the same player sky an effort from only eight yards out after Watford stopper Daniel Bachmann had parried Kieron Morris’s initial strike.
Paul Mullin found the back of the net with a header from close rangeCredit: Reuters
The Prenton Park roof was almost taken off nine minutes before the interval. And Watford’s defence made a real mess of attempting to clear a loose ball, so Monthe swivelled and smashed home gloriously, low in off the post.
Pedro’s pace was highlighted again as the Hornets opened the second period sharply.
The Brazilian teenager zoomed in one-on-one with Scott Davies, but the Rovers keeper won thanks to a terrific stop.
Watford were thwarted by the woodwork just past the hour mark.
A miscued effort fell kindly for Holebas, but his angled volley rapped the outside of a post.
That was a let-off for Rovers, but the Hornets made no mistake in the 68th minute.
Holebas’ out-swinging corner was not cleared, leaving ex-Arsenal kid Kaylen Hinds — fresh off the bench — to lash past Davies from eight yards.
Rovers responded with sub Mullin thumping the outside of a post after he had rounded Bachmann.
But there was also fresh impetus from the visitors, who had chucked away that three-goal lead in the first game at Vicarage Road.
It could have gone either way in the closing moments of the 90 minutes.
Rovers almost nicked it in stoppage-time when Neil Danns dragged a shot wide when it looked easier to score.
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Manny Monthy gave the home side an early advantageCredit: Reuters
Mellon flung on Henry Wise, son of Chelsea legend Dennis in extra-time.
But in the 104th minute an unmarked Mullin restored Rovers lead.
The striker was in the right place at the right time to head past Bachmann from close in following Blackett- Taylor’s neat flick-on.
Kaylen Hinds levelled the scoring for Watford in the second halfCredit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
