DESPITE not quite reaching the highs of some memorable cup clashes that have occurred at Vicarage Road over the years, today's 1-0 FA Cup win was nevertheless important to boss Brendan Rodgers.

A goal from substitute Grzegorz Rasiak means the Hornets will be in the hat for tomorrow's (Sunday's) fourth round draw.

Speaking about the well-organised outfit the Hornets came up against today in Scunthorpe, Rodgers said: "They came here and won last year and there haven't been many changes in that team.

"Scunthorpe have been doing well in Division One and the objective to the players was to make sure we were in the draw for the fourth round when it's drawn tomorrow. We achieved that so I'm pleased."

The manager handed debuts to two new loan players in Gavin Hoyte and Jack Cork, who fitted in at right back and in the centre of the park respectively.

Talking about Cork's influence, he added: "I know him well, you know what you're going to get and he's a seven or eight-out-of-10 every week.

"I think you've seen how important he is, you saw how the Scunthorpe supporters reacted to his name being read out and they gave him a standing ovation, he goes about his work with no fuss, he has qualities and he understands the game and has an ambition to do well."

Despite not being a vintage cup performance, the manager knew that it would be a tough fixture and he was more than prepared for it.

Rodgers commented: "You can't play perfect football, I'm one of the biggest advocates of moving the ball, and in little spells we did that, we didn't do that enough but there's many factors involved in that.

"The most important thing is that we won the game and got another clean sheet. Prior to the last home performance we have grown and grown, and since then we have continued with that.

"There were some other good performances, I thought Adrian Mariappa was fantastic.

"He's a guy who has got a good future for me and he was very good.

I was pleased with the clean sheet, the goal and the band!," he added, in reference to the Alexis I Dupont marching band who were in town to offer their support to the Golden Boys.

"I thought the band was fantastic and we need to get them back for every game!"

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