A penalty in the first minute of the second half proved to be the pivotal moment as Watford exited the FA Cup with a 4-1 defeat at Fulham.

Despite spending much of the game being pushed back and only rarely getting into the home side’s half, a wonder-goal from Rocco Vata had cancelled out the Fulham opener and meant the game was level at the break.

But Antonio Tikvic’s silly challenge just seconds after the restart gave Fulham a penalty, and they never looked back once they had got that 2-1 lead.

As expected, it was all change for the Hornets starting line-up.

Mamadou Doumbia and Tikvic both made their first starts for Watford after five and three appearances from the bench respectively before tonight.

Jonathan Bond was in goal, but even with Dan Bachmann sidelined for the next 10 to 12 weeks, he would probably have played tonight anyway.

It was a youthful team, with five of the starting XI aged 20 or under.

The Hornets played 5-4-1 with Doumbia up front, Tom Ince and Rocco Vata wide in the midfield, and a central pairing of Pierre Dwomoh and Edo Kayembe.

The hosts dominated the ball in the first half and Watford didn’t really get close to their box for 25 minutes.

Ironically, just after they did Fulham took the lead but Watford’s response was instant with that incredible strike from Vata.

And, although the home side had 13 goal attempts to the Hornets three, it was 1-1 at the interval.

It didn’t last long though as a silly challenge from Tikvic gifted the home side the lead from the penalty spot and they eased clear with 25 minutes to go when Andersen volleyed home.

A fourth goal on the closing stages extended the home side’s advantage an on balance of play and chances created, a comfortable home win was a fair outcome.

Here’s how the game unfolded:

6 - Traore crossed from the right and Iwobi put the ball wide at the back of the six-yard box under pressure from Andrews.

16 - Corner nodded back across by Muniz and Catsagne looped the ball goalwards where Porteous hooked it clear.

18 - Patient build-up from Fulham before Iwobi curled a shot from just outside the box that Bond tipped wide of the right-hand upright.

25 - Watford's first sight of goal but Kayembe's 25-yard effort bounces well wide.

26 – Fulham 1 (Muniz) Watford 0

Very tidy finish from Muniz who swivels to volley home Traore's low pass

32 – Fulham 1 Watford 1 (Vata)

What. A. Hit. Absolutely stunning. Take a bow Rocco Vata.

The young Irish international turned just inside the Fulham half, darted forward and then sent a searing 25-yard drive past Benda.

35 - Scare as Bond comes way out of his box but loses the ball. Muniz hits it first time but the keeper deflects it away from goal with his leg.

43 - Tikvic was first to the ball on halfway and nudged it to Ince, who turned and had a stride before shooting from 25 yards, but Benda held the ball comfortably.

Half-time – Fulham 1 Watford 1

46 - Fulham work he ball to the left where Sessegnon has space to shoot, but Porteous dives to block.

47 – Fulham (Jimenez pen) Watford 1

Tikvic fouls Traore just inside the box, and Jimenez beats Bond from the spot.

54 - Excellent point-blank save from Bond to deny Smith-Rowe after Jimenez had dragged the ball back from the by-line.

56 - Vata's free-kick from the right was headed up in the air Porteous was first to it as it dropped but his header ran wide.

61 - Ball breaks to Sessegnon on the edge of the box but Bond is equal to his low shot.

65 – Fulham 3 (Andersen) Watford 1

When his first shot from a corner was blocked, Andersen volleyed the follow-up into the corner.

70 - Sessegnon tricks his way into the box and when he's tackled King takes over before driving a shot into the side-netting.

73 - Pereira takes aim from the edge of the box and his dipping shot beats Bond but comes back off the bar.

84 – Fulham 4 (Castagne) Watford 1

Iwobi chipped a cross to the front post and Castagne ran in to nod between Bond and the upright.

86 - Kayembe seizes on a poor clearance but his volley clips the outside the post.

Watford: Bond; Porteous, Tikvic, Ogbonna; Larouci, Ince (Baah 65), Dwomoh (Louza 31), Andrews; Vata (Chakvetadze 65), Kayembe; Doumbia (Nabizada 88). Subs: Roberts, Sierralta, Sissoko, Bayo