ALL ROVER THE PLACE Mullin completes amazing Tranmere fightback

TRANMERE staged an amazing comeback as they stunned Watford to snatch an unlikely replay.

Boss Micky Mellon feared his League One battlers would lose by a cricket score after Tom Dele-Bashiru, Nathaniel Chalobah and Roberto Pereyra all scored for Watford before the break.

But they hit back in stunning fashion as three goals in 22 crazy second-half minutes from Connor Jennings, Manny Monthe and a Paul Mullin penalty sent the tie back to Prenton Park.

Rovers boss Mellon (above) said: “We didn’t lay a glove on Watford in the first half and a rout is always going through your mind.

“Then we said, ‘There’s 2,500 people here and pride at stake’ – maybe it was said a bit more aggressively than that!

“There was a lot more pride and desire in the second half and we have turned in an incredible performance at a Premier League club.

“We respect the fact we have worked very hard to get another tie. We embrace it, we want to play big games.”

A new-look Watford led as DeleBashiru celebrated his first start with the opener with a superb 20-yard shot on 12 minutes.

Tranmere gifted the hosts their second as both Peter Clarke and Monthe gave the ball away in the area, the latter to Chalobah who blasted home from 15 yards.

The Hornets made it three on 34 minutes with an exciting attacking move.

Isaac Success played the ball to Andre Gray and his pass found Pereyra who delivered a cool finish.

But the second half was a different story with Watford forced to replace the excellent Chalobah due to a groin injury.

Jennings’ 65th-minute header from Correy BlackettTaylor’s cross looked to have been ruled out for offside – before VAR changed the decision.

And suddenly it was game on as Monthe punished a fumble by Daniel Bachmann on 78 minutes. Barely believably, Rovers got their rewards two minutes from time.

VAR got involved again to award a penalty for sub Mason Barrett’s foul on Blackett-Taylor with Mullin showing nerves of steel to smash home the spot-kick.

To complete a dismal second half for Watford, Pereyra saw red for kicking out at Kieron Morris at the death.

But Hornets boss Nigel Pearson did not seem too fussed at a replay, with Premier League survival his only focus.

He said: “Unfortunately the FA Cup is not a priority.

“We have players close to the first team who had opportunities and have probably not taken them.

“It was never my intention to do anything other than protect the squad.

“We’ll deal with this, it’s fine.”