Lastuvka blunder a gift for Watford as West Ham crash out of Carling Cup

The Czech Republic goalkeeper completely missed the ball as he came out to collect a Lee Williamson free kick after 70 minutes and Hayden Mullins could not stop
himself as he ran back and nudged the ball over the line.

Eleven minutes earlier Lastuvka had been the West Ham hero as he somehow got down to a close-range header from Tommy Smith.

West Ham players look dejected after Hayden Mullins scored an own goal at Vicarage Road

Just hours after being informed that Sheffield United wanted £30million in compensation for the Carlos Tevez affair, West Ham were given a rigorous workout by struggling Championship side Watford, who played as much slick football as their more illustrious visitors.

However, West Ham's dangerous frontman David Di Michele, who scored twice against Newcastle on Saturday, thought he had given West Ham the lead on 48 minutes with a close-range shot, only for Watford reserve keeper Scott Loach to turn the ball against the left post and away for a corner.

But Watford piled forward and after their young forward Lionel Ainsworth had carved out a centre on 52 minutes, Lastuvka punched clear only for Jordan Parkes to slam the ball back. Fortunately for West Ham it deflected for a corner.

Loach was again sharp to deny Di Michele as he flung out an arm to turn his header aside.

Then came Lastuvka’s incredible blunder as Watford gave it everything they had.

Watford fans showed they have not lost their sense of humour as they chanted ‘one-nil’ after Ainsworth had hit the West Ham side netting early on.

They cheered as though Watford had opened the scoring, no doubt hoping to fool referee Peter Walton after Stuart Attwell’s farcical decision on Saturday to award Reading a phantom goal. Unfortunately Walton was not so easily deceived.

Watford threatened early on when a diving header by Ross Jenkins was just wide of the right post before Loach showed his ability by diving to catch a swerving shot from David Di Michele.

Then came the Ainsworth low shot that skidded into the side netting and the cries for a goal.

Ainsworth again went close on 13 minutes with a delightful chip that had Lastuvka struggling to tip over.

At the other end Luis Boa Morte forced Loach to deflect the ball over the bar and then Di Michele put Mark Noble in for an excellent chance, only for Loach to palm the ball for a corner.

The lively Ainsworth hit a fierce cross shot from the left and then Will Hoskins set up Smith for an effort that forced Lastuvka to go down and save.