Tranmere 2-1 Watford (AET): The winner will face Man Utd in FA Cup 4th round

They say FA Cup replays no longer matter but try telling that to a Tranmere team that lived up to the club’s rich giant-killing traditions.

Paul Mullin, a second half substitute, scored the goal in extra-time that sent last season’s finalists tumbling out at the first hurdle but it would be wrong to single one man out for special praise on a night when those in white-and-blue ran themselves to a standstill.

This famous old club from The Wirral have had their travails in League One this season but the FA Cup has enlivened them and their reward for toppling Watford could not be bigger: Manchester United are next up and what wonderful possibilities their visit conjures.

Manny Monthe turns 25 on Sunday and the Cameroon defender will have a birthday to remember against United; he scored the opening goal and his mountainous performance provided the foundation for Tranmere to build.

It was apparent from the early stages which side wanted it more. Watford, who made wholesale changes after Tuesday’s exertions at Aston Villa, were apathetic for large swathes of the game and they scarcely deserved the goal from substitute Kayden Hinds that forced extra-time.

Tranmere started with plenty of fizz Corey Blackett-Taylor, a lively runner from midfield, was the first to try his luck in the 22nd minute with a shot that fizzed over the bar; he missed a better chance in the 28th minute but fluffed his lines from 10 yards after pouncing on a loose ball.

Perseverance, however, paid off and Monthe, the hulking Cameroon defender who had scored in the initial game at Vicarage Road, fired Tranmere in front in the 36th minute. He enjoyed it, as did his manager, Micky Mellon, who celebrated by waving his arms like windmills.

Watford improved marginally in the second half and secured parity when Hinds bundled in from close range after a goalmouth scramble but Tranmere refused to lose heart and could have won it in normal time but squandered three glorious chances, the best of which fell to Mullin.

Fortunately, it did not matter. In the 104th minute, a cross came from the left and Mullin dared not miss. He didn’t, steering his effort beyond Daniel Bachmann to spark bedlam and fire dreams of toppling United.