Despite making eight changes from Saturday's winning team Watford leap-frogged Crystal Palace after a 1-0 win at Selhurst.
But they had to be grateful for an own goal to settle it in the last minute of the first half.
Kit Symons lost his footing, allowing Michael Chopra a clean shot at goal with Alex Kolinko making a fine save at the advancing striker's feet.
From the resultant corner the unfortunate David Hunt, making only his second Palace appearance, met Lee Cook's corner at the near post.
Cook, similarly, making only his second appearance for the visitors, tormented Hunt for an hour until the Palace player was substituted.
It could have been very different if Danny Butterfield's 25-yard volley after just 30 seconds had gone in instead of hitting the outside of Richard Lee's left-hand post.
The young Watford keeper, who also was making his second appearance, had little to do all evening against a spiritless looking Palace side.
Dougie Freedman missed their best chance after 42 minutes. Debutante Ben Watson set Freedman up ten yards out but the Palace favourite failed to hit the target, shooting wide of the far post.
Watson's impressive debut was the one bright spot for Palace manager Trevor Francis. Watford were much the livelier side in the second half and substitute Heidar Helguson should have made it 2-0 when he lobbed Kolinko but into the sidenetting.
Francis accepted that his team had fallen short against the team they were expected to beat on paper.
He did praise Watson's debut though saying: "He's a talented player. He's done very well." Ray Lewington was said: "I'm very pleased. We ripped Saturday's team apart and have used 20 players over both games." He even laughed at the "squad rotation" he'd employed.
He added: "The players think they have a chance on Sunday. So do I."