Two stoppage-time goals saw Watford Under-21s eventually ease their way into the quarter-finals of the Herts Senior Cup with a 4-1 win away at Tring Athletic.
All the goals came in the second half at The Michael Anthony Stadium, and the home team fought back after going a goal behind and were well in the contest until right at the death.
However the side currently mid-table in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division finally succumbed to three Watford goals in the last 25 minutes.
The victory earns Watford a quarter-final trip to Hertford of the Southern League Division One Central.
The first-half was very short on any chances, and although Watford had a lot of the ball, the home side prevented them from doing much with it.
However four minutes after the restart Charlie Davis had a long-range effort saved but James Collins was on hand to lob the loose ball into the net.
The home side responded very well though, and made it 1-1 in the 58th minute with the strength of Frankie Hercules creating the chance for Max Hercules to beat Jonathan Macaulay with a quite sublime lob.
But the young Hornets showed plenty of character to regain the lead seven minutes later as a pass from Davis allowed Zavier Massiah-Edwards to score in the corner.
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Tring went very close to levelling it up again five minutes from time but saw a header just clear the crossbar, and Watford capitalised in the first minute of stoppage time.
Kristian Shevchenko won a penalty and Laken Torres stepped up to put the young Hornets 3-1 ahead.
A minute later Torres raced through to add a fourth and give the final scoreline a somewhat flattering look.
Watford: Macaulay; Gould, Trialist, Davis, Abbot, Stallard, Hamiga, Coyne, Torres, Collins (Shevchenko 75), Massiah-Edwards. Subs not used: Browne, Wachowicz, Garcia-Romero, Odiase
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