Birmingham gained revenge for their penalty shoot-out defeat to Watford in
last season's Division One play-offs by bundling the Premiership side out of the
FA Cup at Vicarage Road.
Gary Rowett's superb header settled the outcome midway through the second half
and set the seal on Watford's 12th consecutive match without a win.
Watford had won 7-6 on penalties to scrape past Birmingham in the play-offs
and there was still little between them for most of this dour cup clash.
It was only when Watford raised their game in the first 20 minutes of the
second half that they looked anything like a Premiership side but on this
showing it looks likely that tag will not apply for much longer.
Although manager Graham Taylor can cite injuries as a major problem, his
situation pales into insignificance compared to Trevor Francis' plight at St
Andrews.
With his main strike-force of Paul Furlong, Dele Adebola and Peter Ndlovu
still missing, the City boss had to persevere with midfielders Darren Purse and
Bryan Hughes leading the attack.
So it was probably no surprise that the decisive goal in the 66th minute came
from a set-piece and was headed in by resourceful centre-back Rowett.
Watford could not say they had not been warned. Just five minutes into the
game Rowett out-jumped all challengers to meet Martin Grainger's corner with a
powerful header that crashed against the bar.
And it was the same combination which undid them with 24 minutes left to go.
Former Derby defender Rowett steered his header between goalkeeper Alec
Chamberlain and the near post.
Watford, crushed 5-0 at Wimbledon last week, started sloppily and then lost
their most imaginative forward, Dutch winger Nordin Wooter, through injury just
after the quarter-hour mark.
Scotsman Charlie Miller promised better things for the paltry 8,144 crowd with
a dipping, 25-yard effort that flew just over the bar with Birmingham keeper
Kevin Poole at full stretch.
It was the shining light in the first half gloom but Watford played their best
football immediately after the break.
Poole had to save Watford's first on-target shot in the 49th minute when Micah
Hyde fired through a crowd of players from 20 yards.
And the goalkeeper made a crucial block when Wright caught hold of a fierce
half-volley.
So although Birmingham fully deserved their victory their goal came against
the run of play.
As well as Wright's fine effort, substitute Johann Gudmundseson fired in a
great shot only to see Poole push it over with a flying leap.
But their frenzied late blitz could not save them and the result leaves
Taylor's side with only a long, hard winter of relegation battling ahead of
them.
Teams:
Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Page, Palmer, Robinson, Miller, Hyde (Brooker 71), Johnson, Wright (Gibbs 78), Ngonge, Wooter (Gudmundsson 15).
Subs Not Used: Day, Williams.
Booked: Johnson, Robinson, Page.
Birmingham: Poole, Grainger, Johnson, Bass, Rowett, Gill (Robinson 64), Holland, Charlton, Hyde, Hughes, Purse.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Newton, Dyson, Haarhoff.
Booked: Johnson.
Goals: Rowett 66.
Att: 8,144
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).
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