THE SLOGAN for a burger chain on the Vicarage Road stand above 400 partying Cambridge United fans perfectly summed up their side's performance: "Flaming Tasty!"

An 80th minute penalty from "Mr Cool," Martin Butler sent United through to a possible second round glamour tie in the Worthington Cup at the expense of first division Watford.

But this was no last-gasp lucky strike by a lower division side raising their game and battling against smoother skills. If, as looked likely, the match had gone to extra time those United supporters would have been happier with the prospect than the subdued home fans.

For the third time in less than three weeks -- a friendly and the two cup encounters -- Roy McFarland's men outplayed Graham Taylor's disjointed side for long spells and in every department. They dominated the first half, Watford goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain having to make a brilliant reflex save from Trevor Benjamin in the 40th minute to prevent United virtually sealing victory there and then.

One lapse in defence gifted the struggling home side a goal three minutes into the second half, but like a clever boxer dazed by a sucker punch they held on until their heads cleared then slowly and surely regained control.

Watford were no threat as an attacking force in the final quarter, when United's twin tormentors Butler and Benjamin combined for the equaliser on the night and thoroughly deserved winner over the two legs.

Taylor applauded United after their Abbey Stadium victory, but that was nothing to the praise he piled on them this time, in that slightly strange way he has with words.

"You can analyse games and look for reasons." said the former England boss, "But I have to look at it that Cambridge over the two matches deserved to go through instead of us.

"They know what they are doing, they are comfortable with the football they are playing and you have to defend very well against it. They also know where you are going to clear the ball. They've got their eyes on what I think winning, effective football is all about.

"I would have thought that would be sufficient for them to achieve what must be the main object, to get out of the third division. Certainly over the three games they were too much for us."

His honesty after the Abbey match may have unwittingly played a part in his team's downfall, because United centre-back Marc Joseph commented: "We were confident going into this game, especially after hearing someone like Graham Taylor say how well he thought we'd done.

"I thought we were easily the better team again. We just made it a bit harder by giving away a sloppy goal when we'd won most of the high balls over the two matches."

That goal right at the start of the second half had the Hornets buzzing at last, rocking United, as influential midfielder Ian Ashbee admitted. "For 10 minutes or so they really came at us," he said. "That was a tough time when they looked like getting another goal, but we stood up to it and played our way through it. And I thought we were on top again quite a while before we got our goal."

United's determination to attack instead of attempting to protect their first-leg lead was the key to their success. Watford could never commit themselves to all-out attack when they knew that a clearance would have Butler, Benjamin and Michael Kyd at their throats.

They discovered how vulnerable they were to a counter-attack midway through the first half when a huge kick downfield by goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden sent Kyd into the box where he was only stopped by Paul Robinson's desperate tackle.

At the other end young defenders Joseph and Andy Duncan were in much calmer control, needing only the occasional but important moment of aid, like Ashbee's superb tackle on Michel Ngonge who was running on to a Tony Daley pass.

Daley, the ex-England winger, was the only real threat, but United had the pace and organisation to prevent him becoming a dominant influence. In midfield Alex Russell created more for his forwards than Micah Hyde. And if Taylor had been offered a swap of strikers for the night he would have jumped over the dug-out to take the deal.

Joseph's long throws were dropping into the Watford box like mortar bombs as United pressed for the equaliser, taking their corner count to a dozen, twice as many as the home side. The harrassed Hornets seemed to be hanging on for extra time, but Butler's penalty probably put them out of their misery a little earlier.

Route One football is alive and kicking in Cambridge and proved far too much to handle for the First Division's joint leaders Watford at Vicarage Road last night.

Watford manager Graham Taylor was so impressed with Roy McFarland's young troops that he suggested a bet on them for promotion from the Third Division looks a banker at this early stage of the season.

'We've played them three times in the last three weeks - a friendly, the first leg, and now tonight - and they've been the better side every time,' he said. 'They know what effective, winning football is all about and my players didn't seem to realise that Cambridge saw us as a real scalp.'

There was a sense of deja vu for Taylor. How many times had his Watford side of the 1980s shocked supposedly superior teams with their direct, no-nonsense style. Cambridge were not a pretty sight at times but, led by a rampant front three with 19-year-old Trevor Benjamin the pick, they fully deserved their night of cup glory in reaching the second round for the first time in four years.

Benjamin, already dubbed 'Bruno' by the Cambridge fans, had given his side their 1-0 advantage from the home leg and could have doubled that as the visitors dominated the first half. But he wasted a wonderful chance, snatching at a shot six yards out and seeing the ball cannon clear off Alec Chamberlain's knees.

Watford shook themselves out of their lethargy at half-time and were back in the tie within two minutes of the restart. Michel Ngonge, their new Zaire striker, flashed Peter Kennedy's free-kick past Arjan van Heusden for his second headed goal in successive matches.

Watford were rejuvenated and finally escaped Cambridge's attentions to produce their best moments of the game but Ngonge missed what could have been the winning goal when he raced from the halfway line after 62 minutes only to roll his shot a foot wide.

Cambridge, playing with all the confidence of a side unbeaten this season, kept their nerve and forced their way back to take the tie 10 minutes from time.

Left Melbourn just before 6:00, in a pub round the corner from Vicarage Road just after 7:00, time for 2 lucky pints.

We didn't try to sit back and defend, we pushed forward whenever possible, earning our first corner in the 6th minute. Russell can certainly take a good corner. There was a hint of a handball in their area, nothing given.

On 15 minutes from another corner Wanless headed over. He was then involved in a clash of heads, the Watford player going down clutching his head a few seconds later when he realised a free kick had been given against him. The referee spoke but didn't book him. Benjamin got booked for jumping with their keeper, which was harsh after what Watford had got away with.

Kyd almost got through, his pass out to Benjamin just a little strong. In fact Kyd seemed to take the comments of holding on to the ball too long to heart, and had very few runs at the defender, preferring the simple pass. He didn't look fully fit to me.

Watford created little, Van Heusden taking a couple of crosses easily, Chenery made a good covering tackle on one occasion. Daley was booked for a cynical late tackle that took out Russell on the touchline. Our corners continued to cause them problems, defender heading just past his own goal from a couple.

5 minutes from half time Benjamin had our best chance when he had only the keeper to beat from 6 yards, but blasted the ball and hit the keeper. Butler also caused them trouble, often 3 defenders were needed to stop him, usually unfairly. From one of our many free kicks we almost scored with an own goal. They had a late rally, getting 3 corners on the trot (which I think took their corner tally to 4!), but not really causing any problems.

Early in the second half they got an undeserved free kick half way into our half, from which they scored, Ngonge with a powerful diving header which Van Heusden got a hand to but couldn't stop. Three defenders all blamed each other. Soon after Van Heusden made another good save, spreading himself when Rosenthal somehow managed to jink through.

Our confidence is so good that it didn't affect us, we continued to play the better football, and knew that eventually we would score, as so many shots were being charged down, and we forced so many corners. Eventually Benjamin was tripped inside the penalty area (although from the other end at first it wasn't clear whether a penalty had been given), and Butler scored with ease. Watford threw on 3 subs, but created nothing.

The corner count must have been about 18 to 8 in our favour, probably a similar ratio for fouls too. A neutral watching the game would have guessed wrongly as to which was the higher placed team. We played long and short passes, sometimes to feet, other times for the player to run on to. At one time Benjamin was almost dragging a defender along who wouldn't let go of his shirt! Benjamin gets my MoM for his continued running and chasing "lost balls". On one occasion the defender was trying to let the ball run out, Benjamin got to him and forced a corner. It usually took two to stop him when running with the ball.

The defence played really well which is why Van Heusden had so little to do, solid in midfield (Ashbee back to what we expect), and outstanding in attack. I thought Taylor could have come on for the last 5 minutes to give the tiring Kyd a rest.

Back home by 10:45 to see the goals on Sky news, and a chat in the Abbey Arms. Can it get any better?

Ratings: Van Heusden 7, Chenery 8, Ashbee 8, Duncan 8, Joseph 8, Campbell 8, Wanless 8, Benjamin 9, Butler 8, Kyd 7, Russell 8

What a match, what a result and what fantastic support from over 700 United fans. It appears all the frustration of the last three years was let out in one of the most thrilling, emotional and passionate 90 minutes of football imaginable. It nights like tonight when you realise why you support Cambridge United, and why football is the greatest game on earth.

From the first minute we set out our stall, we were not going to be another division three side to collapse at the hand of higher division teams. Cambridge United are made of much sterner stuff.

The inspirational leadership qualities of Wanless and the superb touch and non stop running of the exceptional Butler culminated to produce a performance and result that any division one side would have been proud of, and one which will send shock waves through the Nationwide league.

With Russell and Ashbee producing football from the top draw, and Trevor Benjamin scaring the life out of a slow and flat footed defence the only real surprise in the first half was that United were not a couple of goals to the good.

The best opportunity fell to Benjamin on 42 mins when he found himself one on one with the keeper, only to see him lose his head and hit a shot straight at him. The busy Butler was everywhere, creating and carving out chances for himself and his teammates to produce an overall display which would not have looked out of place in the top draw of English football. The man is surely destined to be a star.

However, the feeling on the terraces was that, following our failure to put away our first half chances, we were going to be up against it in the second half. These fears were compounded shortly after the break when Watford equalised to level the tie at 1-1. Tony Daley then began to produce the form which made him an international player, and with the busy and dominant Jason Lee (Ngonge? - ed) looking lively it appeared that United may collapse and fall once again at the first hurdle.

Well, think again. After soaking up the pressure, United launched wave after wave of penetrating attacks, slicing through a division one defence like a knife through butter. We were going for broke, we knew that one goal would mean Watford would needed to score another two goals, and inevitably we were left vulnerable at the back. This produced 20 minutes of non stop, heart in the mouth end to end football which, in the 81st minute came to a dramatic and glorious head.

Sent through by another pin point flick on from Butler, Trever Benjamin was hauled to the ground by a tired and run-ragged Watford defender in the 18 yard box. Up stepped man of the moment, and surely to be man of the season Martin Butler to smash the spot kick home and send the United fans into delirium. Seldom have I ever seen so many people going completely bananas!

However, we had to endure 10 mins more, knowing that a Watford goal would send the tie into extra time. In the 90min every United fans heart was in their mouths as Smart chipped the ball over an advancing Van Heusden, and was in fact preparing to celebrate his 'goal' when the ball hit the top of the cross bar and went behind for a goal kick. Perhaps the luck which has deserted us as a club over the last few years may be returning.

So there you go, a night to be treasured for all United fans. Shouts of 'Are you watching Barry Fry?" reverberated around the ground. Some people claim United fans can get on the back of players and managers sometimes, well I doubt that the support I witnessed last night could be matched by any other supporters in the country.

A night when every United supporter in the country can hold their heads up high. A performance to be proud of on a night when Cambridge United have firmly laid down their intentions for the season to come.

Cambridge are back!

All i can say is what a night !!!!!!

I'm glad i am typing this as i can't speak too good this morning, probably along with a lot of other people. It was good to see so many United fans turn out for the game last night, even though the prices were rather high. On the way there we were guessing how many would attend, i thought around 500.

The game and the atmosphere were excellent. We played really well in the first half and should have got a couple. It was at the start of the second half when we were caught napping. Watford were awarded a free-kick for some reason and a well worked one ended in the goal. We were all quiet for a few seconds, first time in the game, before we were shouting and singing again.

Watford to me were very poor, in the first half they only got going before the break with a couple of corners, and Iceman didn't have a save to make. I think they had about 3 chances in total and the one on target was the one they scored!!!

Trevor had a really good chance but he blasted it straight at the keeper in the first half, we thought that was our chance. We battled on right till the end with Trevor winning the penalty in the 79th minute. He was bustled off the ball and went down, all the United fans were calling for the offender to be sent off and they hadn't realised the referee point to the spot. (by this time i was going mental)

Butler placed the ball and did his normal run up, sending the keeper to the right and Butler placed the ball in the left corner.YES........

From then on we sang the lads home till the final whistle, with everyone singing and generally going mental. Some fans tried to get the conga going but were made to return to their seats......great score....great night.......

Michael Kyd took his place in the Cambridge United starting eleven this evening, despite being doubtful after suffering soreness in his knee after Saturday's match. The late decision to include him ensured that United could field a winning side unchanged for the last two games. Watford striker Michel Ngonge lined up for Watford despite suffering an ankle injury during his goal-scoring debut at the weekend.

Cambridge United looked like the first division side in the first half, with the defence looking solid, the midfield working hard and the front three of Butler, Benjamin and Kyd giving the Watford rearguard plenty to worry about. Arjan Van Heusden had nothing to do while at the other end Alex Chamberlain made three or four saves and had to deal with five corners and half a dozen of Marc Joseph's long throws into the danger area. United's best chance came five minutes before the break when Trevor Benjamin was put clean through, but he blasted his shot too close to Chamberlain and the Watford keeper got his knees to the ball.

Despite a late flurry from Watford, as the half finished it was United who looked worth a goal. Half-time 1-1.

Watford kicked-off the second half looking as though they had received a rocket from manager Graham Taylor and equalised three minutes later. Peter Kennedy played a long free-kick into the box and striker Ngonge dived just inside the six yard box to bullet the ball inside the post. The new signing, who scored on his debut on Saturday, was just wide after a run and shot minutes later and also had a shot saved by Van Heusden. Ronnie Rosenthal also squandered a chance in a period of Watford pressure.

The match was tense as it continued, with both sides looking for the deciding goal, but it was United who looked most confident and who regained the upper hand before making the deserved breakthrough. With ten minutes left Trevor Benjamin collected a flick from Butler, hustled his way into the area and was poised to shoot when his heels were clipped by Dean Yates. It was a clear penalty and the in-form Martin Butler stepped up to coolly send Chamberlain the wrong way and the travelling U's into ecstasy, knowing that Watford needed to score twice to win after this priceless away goal.

Only one team looked like scoring during the last ten minutes, despite a flurry of late Watford substitutions, and that was United as they were roared home by more than 600 travelling fans. The closest Watford came to forcing extra time was when Allan Smart lifted the ball over Van Heusden only to see it drop onto the crossbar.

The U's have produced one of the round's "upsets" against the first division side and progress into the second round of this competition for the first time in four years, continuing the best start to a season for seven years.

Watford were out-played and out-battled tonight for all bar the first ten minutes after the break, when they scored and had other chances to go ahead, and our players will be brimming with confidence as they wait to learn their next opponents. The draw for the second round is next Wednesday.

A clearly delighted Roy McFarland said afterwards, "We'll never win this cup but it's the financial gain which is important for us. If we can get a good tie it might mean that a few months later on I don't have to sell a player.