DEBUTANT Liam Henderson was understandably delighted after he came on for his first Watford appearance and had a hand in what proved to be the all-decisive strike which won the Carling Cup tie.

Striker Henderson was sent on by boss Aidy Boothroyd with 15 minutes of normal time remaining and helped down Darlo under the lights at the Vic.

The Gateshead-born front man is in the first year of life as a full-time professional after he earnt a pro contract in March of this year following a number of astute performances for both the Academy and the reserves.

The 18-year-old was an unnamed sub in the Carling Cup defeat at Roots Hall last year and was also on the bench in the first round this year but it proved to be third time lucky as Henderson was brought on in place of Tamas Priskin.

Henderson said: "It feels good to have finally made my debut, I need to push on now and start making a name for myself.

"I was a bit nervous when Aidy said I would be going on but you soon forget all of that when you get out there.

"He said to get out there and do what you do best - hopefully I showed him and the supporters what I can do."

Henderson is an old-fashioned sort of centre forward who will close down his opponents and isn't afraid of a physical battle.

He hit the net 10 times last campaign for the under 18s and fired home seven goals for the second string last term.

This season he's started in determined fashion, hitting a goal for the reserves against Leyton Orient last week. 

The youngster had a hand in John-Joe O'Toole's winning goal last night - the two ex-Academy colleagues combining to send the 'Orns through.

He added: "I wanted to get on and work hard, cause them problems and work hard for the team and get a result.

"It's nice to be involved in the goal but as long as we won that was all that mattered. It was extra special to be involved though because it was my debut.

"It was good to play with people that I know from the Academy like Lewis Young and Ross Jenkins.

"During the second half of extra time Lewis came up front with me, we've got a good combination going and we pushed on and got the result."

When asked who he would like in the next round of the Carling Cup - the Geordie was after a tie with his hometown club Newcastle - a clash that would certainly go down well with the rest of the Watford squad.  

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