GUTSY Stockport were over powered by Premiership Watford as Jim Gannon's side bowed out of the FA Cup.

League Two County briefly threatened a shock at Vicarage Road when David Poole put them in front, but two goals from Malky McKay and one each from Tommy Smith and Moses Ashikodi killed off their hopes.

Poole, a é10,000 signing from Yeovil earlier in the week, put County in front when he raced onto Tony Dinning's through ball and slotted expertly past keeper Ben Foster.

But Watford were a constant threat from set pieces, and equalised on the half hour mark when Darius Henderson flicked on a Smith corner and McKay headed in at the far post.

The Premiership side deservedly went in front three minutes after the break, when Henderson teed up Smith, and his shot was deflected in off defender James Tunicliffe.

The game was put beyond County's reach a quarter of an hour from the end, when McKay was left totally unmarked to volley in Jordan Stewart's free kick from close range at the far post.

And defeat for Gannon's men was sealed with seven minutes left, as keeper James Spencer mis-kicked a Tunnicliffe back pass and Ashikodi ran the ball into an empty net.

What did you think of County's performance? Have your say - e-mail us at stocksport@gmwn.co.uk

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