Tommy Smith shook off the injuries he received in a car crash to help fire Watford into the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 16 years with a 2-0 win over Burnley at Vicarage Road.

The 22-year-old hero of Watford's fifth round win at Sunderland was starting his first match since needing hospital treatment after a high-speed collision two weeks ago, but struck home the opener after 64 minutes.

And when Stephen Glass stroked home an 80th-minute free-kick from 25 yards, it was all over for Stan Ternent's Burnley, who had dominated long spells of a tight, nervy cup tie.

Glass was playing because of a calf injury to midfielder Allan Nielsen, and his clincher came only days after being told he would not be offered a new contract by Ray Lewington when his current deal expires this summer.

Burnley were bidding to extend a six-match unbeaten run and started the game strongly.

Only one point separates these sides in Division One, and there was little to choose between them in a scrappy first half made worse by an uneven pitch.

But the Clarets were dominating possession and Ian Moore's cross almost put in Lee Briscoe, who failed to get a good enough contact on the ball.

Moore found himself in a good position just before the break from Lee Briscoe's throw-in, but seemed caught in two minds from the angle, and his shot sailed harmlessly across Alec Chamberlain's goalmouth.

Burnley lost 2-1 in a league match between the teams in this stadium back in November, but they had lost just once in all competitions in their last 14 games.

By contrast, Watford had only one victory to show from their last six matches, at Sunderland in the fifth round of the competition in which they have played their best football this season.

Watford had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when Marcus Gayle's vicious left-wing cross evaded defender Ian Cox in the 57th minute to fall perfectly for top scorer Heidar Helguson.

But the Icelandic international mishit from five yards out and watched helplessly as the ball trickled past the far post.

Burnley threw on Glen Little for Alan Moore in response, and the substitute was straight into the action, sending a volley from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.

Hornets striker Smith was clean through on 62 minutes after Gavin Mahon found him with a searching right-wing cross, but it was his first start in two weeks and he fluffed his finish into Beresford's arms.

But the match exploded into life when Helguson forced an acrobatic save from Beresford to force a corner which Ardley delivered right into the danger area in the 74th minute.

Burnley struggled to cope in the swirling wind, and the ball fell to Smith at the far post when they failed to clear.

Smith was falling backwards but stuck out his right foot and managed to turn the ball over the line.

Things could have got much worse for the visitors when Cox pulled back substitute Gifton Noel-Williams, but referee Alan Wiley showed him a yellow card despite Cox being the last covering defender.

But when Cox fouled Helguson 25 yards from goal in the 80th minute, Watford took advantage in spectacular style.

Former Newcastle winger Glass stepped up to stroke a left-footed shot past Beresford, despite the keeper getting his fingertips to it, to send the home fans in the 20,336 crowd wild.

Teams

Watford: Chamberlain, Ardley, Cox, Gayle, Robinson, Mahon, Vernazza (Hand 65), Hyde, Glass, Helguson, Tommy Smith (Noel-Williams 77).

Subs Not Used: Dyche, McNamee, Lee.

Booked: Hyde.

Goals: Tommy Smith 74, Glass 80.

Burnley: Beresford, West, Diallo, Cox, Branch, Ian Moore, Grant (Blake 76), Cook (Stephen Davis 67), Briscoe, Alan Moore (Little 57), Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Michopoulos, Weller.

Booked: Taylor, Cox.

Att: 20,336

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).