WATFORD'S patched up side produced a heroic victory over Premiership West Ham at Vicarage Road, as the Hornets went marching on to the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Finishing the game with 10 men due to an injury to Jay DeMerit, the home team hung on to send Gianfranco Zola's new charges crashing out of the cup.

Vicarage Road was witness to another great cup display from the Golden Boys as a second half own goal from West Ham's Hayden Mullens, from a well taken free kick, sealed the victory. 

Mounting injury problems forced boss Aidy Boothroyd to make five changes to his starting line-up. Scott Loach came in to continue his run in this competition, while Academy graduate Jordan Parkes slotted into the left back position.

Ross Jenkins and Al Bangura formed a new midfield partnership, while Lionel Ainsworth came in to support Will Hoskins and Tommy Smith in attack.

Bang up for it... Al celebrates West Ham's costly error

For the visitors, new manager Zola made changes to his side. Scott Parker and Robert Green dropped down to the bench, while Luis Boa Morte came in to the starting XI, Carlton Cole missed out due to injury.

Under the floodlights at Vicarage Road, the crowd, boosted by a noisy contingent from the East End welcomed the two sides.

And an entertaining start it was, with both sides sweeping the ball around the pitch, the Hornets having the better of the chances but the Hammers, as expected, keeping possession very well.

Full back Adrian Mariappa was up and down the right flank and delivered a couple of well executed crosses early on.

Then Al Bangura's strong run eventually switched the ball out to Smith, who now occupied the right flank. His pinpoint cross found Jenkins and his ambitious diving header flashed just wide of Jan Lastuvka's left-hand post.

Defender Parkes had to intercept a cross at the other end as he put behind for a corner from Boa Morte after a dazzling ball across field from Mark Noble. Again on their left hand side, the Hammers found space and David Di Michele's goal bound effort was saved by Loach in the Watford goal.

Mullins mix-up... Hammer heads into his own net

The Golden Boys kept their composure though and created a couple of openings for Ainsworth, who was seeing plenty of the ball in an advanced position.

Ainsworth's low effort flashed wide of the goal and hit the side netting - and remembering Saturday's 'ghost goal' the home faithful duly celebrated.

The Rookery jumped up and down in mock celebration of the crazy decisions that occurred at the Vic just last weekend - showing the terrace sense of humour is still alive and kicking in Hertfordshire.

Then just moments later, with 14 minutes on the clock, it was the ex-Hereford man again, this time his cheeky shot was tipped over the bar by West Ham's number two stopper.  

The Hornets were enjoying a good period of pressure at the expense of their illustrious Premiership rivals now.

Smith again drifted out to the right flank and delivered a superb ball. After neat build up play the ball was again swung in to him and the player of the year picked out Ainsworth in the penalty area.
He was in a great position but couldn't get the ball out from under his feet and eventually the moment of danger passed.

At the other end, ex-Fulham man Boa Morte tried a delicate chip that Loach had covered and tipped over the bar.

It was another opportunity for Loach to get a touch of the ball and he produced another top class save soon after. The Nottingham-born stopper then was at his best to stop Noble, who had escaped from his man after Di Michele got the better of centre half Leigh Bromby.

The Watford chances continued to fall to Ainsworth as he cut in from the left flank and flashed a low drive across the face of goal.  

Hoskins jumps for joy as Mullins drops to his knees

One of the moves of the game for the Golden Boys nearly brought about a lead for the 'Orns, when Bangura fed Hoskins down the right flank. He charged towards the by-line and back heeled the ball for the on-rushing Smith and his low effort was well saved by Lastuvka.

Then with the half-time interval getting ever closer, Smith collected the ball and cut inside and his stinging shot was deflected off Hayden Mullins and held by Lastuvka low down.

Three minutes after the re-start captain America, Jay DeMerit, had to be alert to divert the ball behind after a strong, piercing run from Matthew Etherington on the left hand flank. The centre half deflected Di Michele's deft touch wide of Loach's post.

At the other end, in front of the Rookery, the 'Orns came close to breaking the deadlock when Parkes' thunderbolt was blocked by Lastuvka after a scramble in the penalty box. Parkes met the ball on the edge of the box and his goal bound effort had to be blocked to go behind for a corner.

The Hammers replied with one of their best efforts of the game as Di Michele met Noble's pinpoint delivery from a corner kick. His glancing header was parried by Loach and cleared by a waiting defender.

The chances were coming thick and fast now for both sides as the Hornets broke away and Lee Williamson's chipped cross from the left flank was met by Smith. His low header was excellently saved by Lastuvka and the Hammers scampered to clear their lines as another moment of panic passed by.

The moment of truth as the Hornets hit the lead

After the introduction of Scott Parker, the Hammers changed their shape with Etherington switching to the right flank and the tricky wide man went on a mazy run on 67 minutes that tested the Watford backline. He reached the by-line but his draw back wasn't met by anyone and the 'Orns cleared their lines. 

With 70 minutes on the clock the home side took the lead much to the delight of the home crowd.

Williamson was the man who took the free kick from the right flank and his testing kick saw Lastuvka miss the ball, before it smashed into the hapless Mullins before rolling past the line with the Rookery sucking the ball into the net.

The goal lifted the Vicarage Road crowd as the noise levels were turned up a level or two within the home areas. However the 'Orns couldn't sit back as the East Enders showed their quality almost immediately after as Etherington, now back on the left flank, missed a great free header at the far post after a deep ball to the far post.

What a stinker... Mullins contemplates his own goal

Still the chances continued to be carved out for both sides and Hoskins came so close to grabbing his second goal in this competition as his curling effort from the edge of the box went jus wide of the woodwork.

Boothroyd made use full use of his bench as he introduced Dale Bennett for his debut, while Lewis Young and Jon Harley were also called upon.

With only a few minutes remaining and DeMerit on the sidelines receiving treatment, defender Matthew Upson crashed a header on to Loach's bar, but failed to net the all-important equaliser.

The American didn't return and trotted down the tunnel leaving the Hornets hanging on with 10 men as they franticly defended as the Hammers launched free kicks into the penalty box.  However, they held on the last and now find themselves into round four of the cup.

Bangura celebrates a famous win at the final whistle

WATFORD (4-3-3): Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit (c), Bromby, Parkes; Williamson (Bennett 70), Bangura, Jenkins; Ainsworth; Hoskins (Young 80), Smith (Harley 70). Subs not used: Lee (gk), Eustace, Avinel, Oshodi.

WEST HAM UNITED (4-4-2): Lastuvka; Faubert, Lopez, Upson, Neill (c); Noble, Mullins, Boa Morte (Parker 62), Etherington; Sears, Di Michele (Reid 71). Subs not used: Green (gk), Ilunga, Behrami, Collison, Stanislas.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Jenkins (professional foul 88). WEST HAM UNITED; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. WEST HAM UNITED; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Mullins (o.g. 70). WEST HAM UNITED; none.

ATTENDANCE: 12, 914 (2,192 West Ham United supporters)

REFEREE: P Walton.