WATFORD's Cup hopes died in the City of Sheffield for the second time this season, as they bowed out of this exacting and often exasperating FA Cup Third Round replay at Hillsborough.

On a chilly Wednesday night, Kevin Pressman's shoot-out penalty save at the expense of unlucky Micah Hyde, ended a night throughout which Watford's hope and frustration had jockeyed for superiority.

It was by no means a classic or for that matter, a memorable tie, for a pitch that seemed at times to have the resonance of a ping-pong table, helped to reduce much of the exchanges to a depressing parade of errors and mispassing.

Wednesday were reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes when Di Canio's precarious temperament was exposed as he gorged himself fully on the dodgy excesses of dissent. Mooney had crowded him into error and Palmer forced the Italian to concede a throw-in. This fact the Italian protested, moving in on and venting his spleen at the linesman - remember, we are talking throw-ins here, not the future of the game as we know it. The referee came across to show the yellow card and his arrival provoked a further outburst from the player, and the card fired him up still more, so earning a red card.

Up to that point, Watford had mounted a largely rearguard action, but the reduction of Wednesday to 10 men, had more immediate effect on the Hornets than the opposition. It gave the visitors hope that this was not going to be an extremely long, one-sided night, which the previous 25 minutes had suggested.

Watford pressed forward with a little more confidence, although seldom finding the accuracy of passing and control necessary to undo the Premiership defence and initially spurning a more direct approach.

Wednesday, playing with great spirit, then proceeded to match the Hornets with an equal number of, yet more penetrating, attacks, squandering a few good chances, hitting the woodwork twice and finishing the first half somewhat unlucky to still be held on level terms.

As the game wore on, and for all the cut and thrust of cup-tie soccer, it was pretty tedious and irritating at times, Watford had more moments of hope and promise than frustrating disappointment.

The limitations of their attacking potential, notable in Division 2, were even more apparent against top flight opposition, and it was not until extra time, that they really threatened to pinch that Fourth Round spot from under Sheffield's noses.

Defensively, Watford battled and fought well and the qualities of determination, tenacity and inspired covering, were not just limited to those with immediate defensive responsibilities.

But when it came to clearing the lines to set up attacks and break forward, Watford's play was littered with errors and promising opportunities were wasted.

For much of this match, Watford's stout hearts and application prevented the apparent class gap from being reflected in the scoreline.

With the arrival of extra time, one neutral observer commented that it was indeed "a terrible game" only to be reprimanded by the riposte that "it is not as nice as terrible".

It is sad when such expertise, knowledge and great lungfuls of energy are applied only for the end-product to be so uncohesive.

Watford were forced onto the back foot from the outset. Rudi, Alexandersson and Newsome had moments when they could have scored. Then the villain of Wednesday's night threatened to open the scoring only for Robinson to make a great interception, before DiCanio indulged in his excess of complaint that might still be going on now, had not the referee shown him a red card.

That upped the tempo and Watford created their first half-chance in the ensuing period of re-adjustment, when Robinson cut in to fire just wide of the far post to an angled opening.

Atherton volleyed in a shot as a defender was about to chest the ball down and Chamberlain had to move smartly to hold but the Watford keeper had no chance when a misplaced pass from deep by Johnson set up the home side.

Wednesday's Hyde broke clear and hammered a premature shot past Chamberlain. The ball struck the post and bounced out to the supporting Booth who duly thrashed a shot against the bar. The account was building up against the Hornets.

Booth then powered a shot just wide from 18 yards before hesitating and being caught by the unusual bounce as he squandered another, angled chance from closer in.

Watford seriously threatened just once before the interval but the ball took too long to come down and Noel-Williams, presented with a clear sight of goal, was unable to muster a shot.

Chamberlain had to move smartly to claw down an attempted lob-shot and also pulled down a fair effort from Booth in a second half that became increasingly even.

Watford even mustered their first on-target shot, when Robinson cut inside past one defender and had his clip for goal blocked by Walker.

The arrival of extra time was greeted with some resignation but the period proved to be the most exciting of the match.

Lee, as if galvanised into action by the prospect, moved in on a dropping ball worked loose by Hyde's challenge and sent a shot past Pressman. The ball hit the underside of the bar, bounced down and out beyond Thomas. Then Lee broke clear and was frustrated when Pressman turned his final shot round the post but Wednesday promptly enjoyed a similar opening. Booth looked yards offside as he sprinted clear but Chamberlain stood firm and large, and must take much credit for blocking the shot.

Fine work by Kennedy and Lee set up Thomas but he fired over. Watford, with the extra man and suspicion of a higher level of fitness, began to enjoy a distinct edge. Even so, Chamberlain had to win the showdown of the former Hatters, saving from a Pembridge free kick before the second period of extra time.

Wednesday rallied well, preventing the game accelerating away from them, but even then Watford had the best chance. A fine ball by Hyde found Thomas, who cut past a defender, seemed to be caught in two minds and then turned to set up Kennedy who powered the ball over the target.

Neither side had done enough to win but Watford emerged with credit from a 210-minute cup saga, finishing all-square with a Premiership club.

There was no disgrace in losing one penalties - the lottery that inevitably makes one man a hero and another a victim, while determining the overall winners and losers.

It was not a night to savour, nor for much of the night, was it a tie to thrill. A tense night behind us we can now focus on priorities. If that happens, we might look back on the otherwise forgettable incidents on Wednesday night as no bad thing.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.