Match Report: Watford 2-1 Chesterfield

Tom Dele-Bashiru scored a 95th-minute winner as Watford came from behind to beat Chesterfield and reach the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Deep into stoppage time, the midfielder skipped past a challenge in the box and smashed home past Ryan Boot when a replay had looked inevitable.

Watford trailed 1-0 at the break after Joe Quigley headed home into an empty net to put the National League leaders in front.

A much-improved Golden Boys emerged after the break and Mileta Rajović, introduced from the bench, headed home the equaliser on 76 minutes.

Watford pushed for a winner and Dele-Bashiru provided it after an assist from new boy Jorge Hurtado - providing the perfect end to the Graham Taylor Matchday.

Head Coach Valérien Ismaël made five changes from the side which drew 3-3 at Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Day.

Daniel Bachmann replaced Ben Hamer in goal, while Rhys Healey was named for his first Watford start up front.

Dele-Bashiru, Francisco Sierralta and Yáser Asprilla also returned to the line-up as the Hornets aimed for a first Emirates FA Cup victory since 2019, when they reached the final.

Ryan Porteous, Ryan Andrews and Rajović dropped to the bench, with Hamer not in the squad and Edo Kayembe absent after departing for the Africa Cup of Nations with Democratic Republic of Congo.

There was also a place among the substitutes for Colombian forward Hurtado, who Ismaël now has at his disposal following his return from a loan spell at New York Red Bulls.

Jake Livermore tested the gloves of Chesterfield keeper Boot with a third minute drive after Asprilla’s pace had troubled the visiting defence.

The Colombian then pounced on a misplaced pass but after cutting inside his shot was deflected off target.

Chesterfield threatened when stand-in skipper Tom Naylor drifted in behind and knocked the ball past Bachmann, but Wesley Hoedt, also wearing the captain’s armband, was on hand to clear the ball behind.

Ismaël Koné had an excellent chance to open the scoring when bursting clean through on Boot’s goal, but the Canadian’s shot was saved and the Chesterfield keeper was also equal to Matheus Martins’ follow-up header.

The miss was punished as an unmarked Quigley headed home the opener for the visitors shortly afterwards, following a Ryheem Sheckleford delivery.

Koné was shown a yellow card after catching Naylor late before Bachmann had to get down low to tip away an Ollie Banks strike.

Both Hoedt and Banks then entered the book for an off-the-ball incident, with the Hornets knowing there was work to do going into the break.

Ismaël introduced Andrews for Koné at half-time but it was Chesterfield who nearly doubled their advantage when Banks stung the gloves of Bachmann from close range.

Martins then angled in on goal but was unable to get his shot cleanly away and it was easily held by Boot.

Healey’s free-kick struck the man lying in the wall, with Watford unable to scramble it home as the ball spun towards goal.

With the Hornets showing better tempo at the start of the second half, James Morris rifled an inviting ball across the box but Healey was unable to get the final touch.

Naylor was yellow carded for a foul on Dele-Bashiru but Hoedt blasted the resultant free-kick into the wall.

Dele-Bashiru had claims for a penalty waved away after his shot in the box cannoned into a Chesterfield elbow and Martins spurned a great chance to level after linking up well with Healey – his shot flying wide of the target.

Ismaël introduced Hurtado for his debut alongside Imrân Louza and Rajović in a triple switch for Girogi Chakvetadze, Martins and Healey.

Rajović made a swift impact, stooping low to head home Asprilla’s cross for the leveller after 76 minutes.

Chesterfield could have regained the lead but sub Ryan Colclough headed over from close range.

Dane Rajović then tested Boot with a back header which the keeper claimed on the line, before Livermore’s free header was saved.

Dele-Bashiru’s fierce effort was well saved by Boot shortly before 90 minutes, but he made no mistake with his next chance as Watford booked their place in Monday evening's draw.