The fans were fantastic as always today

Last updated : 10 March 2003 By Tony Scholes

Needless to say their were contrasting emotions from the two managers at the end of the game with one totally deflated and the other celebrating a life saving achievement for his cash strapped club.

It wasn’t a classic by any stretch of the imagination and this was something that both managers certainly agreed on.

Watford boss Ray Lewington though was left in a daze at the end and actually thought it was the Watford fans making all the noise inside Vicarage Road all afternoon, yes those fans who had to be asked and cajoled into even applauding by a challenger for nightmare PA man of the season.

"The fans were great, everyone was singing and we just couldn’t let them down," said Lewington after the game.

"We played poorly in the first twenty minutes, we were slow to get going and looked really tentative and to be truthful I was grateful to go in at half time with the scores level.

"But in the second half I thought we played really well. and the good thing was that when we scored we didn’t sit back and defend. We always looked the likely winners.

"We kept going, we didn’t think one was enough. We pushed on and made them run towards their own goal and the second goal was fantastic. You knew then that it was to be our day."

Stan was a disappointed man at the end of the game. He stepped out onto the pitch to join his players in applauding the fans who returned the compliment as a great cup run came to an end.

"We’re disappointed to have been knocked out of the cup at this late stage," Stan reflected. "There wasn’t a lot in the game and the first goal was always going to be crucial and unfortunately they got it.

"It was difficult for both teams in the conditions and we needed a break but it was Watford who got it from a corner and then went on to score an excellent free kick.

"I thought we started the game well and we were comfortable in the first half but it just wasn’t to be Burnley’s day.

"The players have done fantastically well to have got here and I prefer to look at the positives, we got into the last eight of the FA Cup. So we are making progress.

"We have thirteen games left and we still have hopes of making the play offs. We have to pick the players up and regroup. The league has always been our priority.

"We are very disappointed for the fans who were fantastic as always today and to get into the last eight in the cup and having a chance to get into the play offs is good.

"Congratulations though to Watford, I wish them well. Ray (Lewington) and Terry (Burton) are two smashing lads and I wish them well."