Watford ride their luck to defeat QPR and advance to FA Cup quarter-finals

Relive all the action from Loftus Road

FA Cup fifth round draw: Chelsea are set to play Man Utd

Watford progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over QPR, despite being outplayed at Loftus Road.

Although their team selection again appeared to show a club for whom the competition is not a priority, Etienne Capoue’s gift of a goal put Watford to within one victory of reaching the final four at Wembley – after their Championship hosts had wasted enough chances to build a convincing lead.

Toni Leistner had a brilliant chance to rescue a deserved draw for Rangers in the closing stages but skewed his tap-in wide from all of two yards as the second ticked away.

Relive all the action below.

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[15 February 2019 20:03 · Tom Kershaw]

12': QPR 0-0 Watford

Hughes needlessly slides in on Jake Bidwell, who is somewhat caught off guard and almost career's into the advertising boards by the corner flag. Hughes got the ball, though, despite Loftus Road's rowdy protestations.

[15 February 2019 20:04 · Tom Kershaw]

14': QPR 0-0 Watford

An awkward clash of heads leaves both Smith and Britos needing lengthy treatment, but both are cleared to continue.

[15 February 2019 20:07 · Tom Kershaw]

17': QPR 0-0 Watford

QPR are sitting back a bit now, inviting Watford to try and unpick their defence. So far, it's a tactic that's working, but McLaren's side don't look like countering and you wonder whether allowing such pressure upon themselves to build is the wisest move.

[15 February 2019 20:09 · Tom Kershaw]

21': QPR 0-0 Watford

Another nice opportunity to counter-attack is wasted by Rangers. Watford lost the ball carelessly in midfield allowing QPR to surge forward, but the cross never came, eventually passing all the way back into defence before squandering possession via a route one chuck.

[15 February 2019 20:11 · Tom Kershaw]

23': QPR 0-0 Watford

Luongo finds Wzolek on the right, but Smith has strolled offside, so enticed by a rare glimpse at goal. We're still awaiting our first shot.

[15 February 2019 20:15 · Tom Kershaw]

26': QPR 0-0 Watford

McLaren's side attempt to work space on the left-flank this time, as Bidwell manoeuvres enough space to nip a cross in towards Smith. The striker thinks he finally has a sniff at goal, but is then firmly shut out by a fine intervention from Jose Holebas.

[15 February 2019 20:18 · Tom Kershaw]

28': QPR 0-0 Watford

That spell of QPR possession has provided the zip of energy this game so desperately craved, and it's Watford who retaliate and almost take the lead.

Again, it's Hughes on the right-hand side, who passes to Sema on the edge of the box. The Swede fumbles the ball but it falls to Janmaat whose thrashing shot soars just over the bar.

[15 February 2019 20:21 · Tom Kershaw]

31': QPR 0-0 Watford

Almost an unhappy birthday moment for Heurelho Gomes, who slices an awkward backpass for six towards his own corner flag.

From the resultant corner, Gomes punches clear but only as far as Luongo whose volley flashes just a yard wide.

[15 February 2019 20:23 · Tom Kershaw]

31': QPR 0-0 Watford

Watford just can't quite get out of second gear. They're clearly the better side of the two technically, but they're being bossed out of the game a little by QPR's sheer aggression and urgency.

[15 February 2019 20:27 · Tom Kershaw]

35': QPR 0-0 Watford

Smith, still sporting a bandage from that earlier headclash, latches onto Freeman's cross but with the whole goal to aim at, the striker diverts the ball well-wide of the far-post. 

Smith's blushes are saved by the offside flag, but he didn't know it was coming. 

Every QPR is coming through Freeman.