League One strugglers Tranmere dumped Watford out of the FA Cup on Thursday night thanks to Paul Mullin’s extra-time winner.
The hosts took a 36th-minute lead through Emmanuel Monthe, who volleyed home off the inside of a post for a goal.
It was Monthe’s third goal in his last four games – he also struck at Vicarage Road as well as in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich – and was enough to give Rovers a half-time lead at Prenton Park.
Watford looked more dangerous after the break and they drew level in the 68th minute through substitute Kaylen Hinds.
The 21-year-old, who came on at half-time, drilled his shot through a crowd of players at the breakdown of a corner.
But Mullin struck again for Rovers with a clinical header to secure a 2-1 win for Micky Mellon’s men.
Pearson made 11 changes for the FA Cup replay, although five in the starting line-up played in the 3-3 first meeting between the two sides on January 4.
New signing Joao Pedro made his first start, having featured in the original fixture at Vicarage Road, as did under-23 players Mason Barrett, Callum Whelan and Joseph Hungbo.
Tranmere made one change from Saturday’s defeat to Ipswich, with Corey Blackett-Taylor replacing the cup-tied Alex Woodyard.
And it was Rovers who advanced through to the fourth round and claim a memorable Premier League scalp.
Their home match against 12-time winners Manchester United will take place on Sunday.
