Watford reach FA Cup quarter-finals with win over Leeds United

Scott Wootton's second-half own goal was enough for Watford to beat Leeds United 1-0 in this afternoon's FA Cup fifth-round tie and reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in nine years.

© Getty Images

Watford were on top from the word go and won a string of early corners, the third of which presented a good chance for Miguel Britos, but he could only head wide.

Leeds were looking shaky at the back, but they steadied themselves after the 20-minute mark and were the better side for the remainder of the half.

They could not, however, carve out any clear-cut openings, with Stuart Dallas's tame long-range efforts the best they could muster.

The half-time break seemed to halt the Whites' momentum and seven minutes into the second half Watford took the lead in comical circumstances.

© Getty Images

Ben Watson's deep cross was finding no-one at the back post, but Scott Wootton decided to try to clear it and instead of hooking away he sliced the ball into his own net.

Soon after, Almen Abdi fired over and Etienne Capoue had a goal chalked off as Watford looked to put the game to bed, but they could not find a second goal.

Leeds failed to create much down the other end, though, with Souleymane Doukara blazing over with the visitors' only chance of note in the dying stages.