Veterans on the mark as Hull draw first blood against Watford

The first was the decision to disallow a headed goal by defender Danny Shittu in the fourth minute and an equally controversial ruling to send off John Eustace after the midfielder's confrontation with Ian Ashbee in the second half.

Hull manager Phil Brown claimed Eustace had head-butted Ashbee and the fourth official had given that as the reason for the sending off while Boothroyd thought the red card had been given for a foul by Eustace, which led to both sets of players squaring up. Whoever was right, it was a lucky decision for Hull.

Boothroyd will appeal against the card, hoping it can be reversed in time for the second leg on Wednesday.

The Watford manager was adamant Shittu's effort should have been allowed and said: "It's a goal. If he has given the foul for pushing, the only person who was pushing was the Hull goalkeeper."

Boothroyd was equally scathing on Friend's red card for Eustace, adding: 'He's gone for the ball. It's a heated game. Are we not allowed to tackle any more?' Perhaps feeling the pressure of recent criticism, Boothroyd had switched his tactics for this game by abandoning a 4-4-2, playing Tommy Smith behind Nathan Ellington, and showing fewer signs of his trademark long-ball game.

This match certainly started eventfully for Shittu. The Watford centre-back thought he had put his team in front after he connected sweetly following Jobi McAnuff's corner. Friend ruled it out for obstruction, though, with Leigh Bromby apparently impeding Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

"The referee's had a great game," said Brown later. "He was climbing all over our defenders. The whistle went before he headed the ball."

Hull took advantage of the fortuitous reprieve four minutes later – thanks to a blunder from Shittu. His calamitous header bounced into the path of Fraizer Campbell and the on-loan Manchester United striker dashed down the right and cut the ball back for Barmby to finish from ten yards.

Hull doubled their advantage when Barmby threaded the ball through to Andy Dawson on the left. He crossed for Campbell, whose header was deflected by Bromby on to the bar but Windass headed in the rebound. The match changed with the 60th minute flashpoint.

Bromby dived into a tackle on Richard Garcia and Eustace also launched himself towards the ball while the Hull midfielder lay on the ground. That prompted an angry reaction from Hull's players and among the scrum of players Eustace raised his hands on Ashbee and was dismissed.

Despite Watford being reduced to ten men they came close to scoring when Nathan Doyle hit a post after 80 minutes.

Brown was disappointed with the final score, adding: "We had great opportunities to win 3, 4 or even 5-0," while Boothroyd refused to believe the tie is all over. "That's as well as we have played in a long time. The minute that you stop believing you are dead, but we are very much alive." he said.

Watford: Lee, Doyley, Shittu, Bromby, Sadler, Ainsworth, Williamson, Eustace, McAnuff, Smith, Ellington.

Subs: Poom, DeMerit, Priskin, Mariappa, O'Toole.

Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Barmby, Ashbee, Hughes, Garcia, Windass, Campbell.

Subs: Duke, Doyle, Walton, Folan, Fagan.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)