Warnock is relieved that ref Poll is not around to end his Cup dream

Neil Warnock believes he can still have one last shot at FA Cup glory now that controversial referee Graham Poll has hung up his whistle.

The Crystal Palace manager has still not forgiven Poll for the error he believes cost his former club Sheffield United a chance to go to Wembley in their 2003 semi-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The Tring official sparked outrage when he failed to spot a foul by Sol Campbell in the build-up to Arsenal's winning goal, and he compounded his error by inadvertently blocking United midfielder Michael Tonge as he tried to reach the loose ball.

Warnock (below) suffered more heartbreak in the dying seconds when Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman pulled off a miracle save from Paul Peschisolido, but it is Poll's performance which has stuck in his craw.

However, the Yorkshireman is hoping Poll's decision to quit and go into the media will help smooth Palace's passage into the fifth round at Watford tomorrow.

He said: "Fortunately, Graham Poll's retired so I won't have a problem from that point of view - there'll be no blame placed on him this time.

"I felt he was Arsenal's best player in that semi-final to be honest.

"He blocked a couple of players, made a few tackles and it must have been one of his better games."

Watford are hoping to use the memory of their third-round win over Scunthorpe as their inspiration tomorrow.

The match was their only victory in their last six games but captain Jay DeMerit is not too concerned.

"The atmosphere in our camp is good," he insisted. "Generally, we have been playing well but individual mistakes have been letting us down.

"If we put that right we can get our season back on track."

Palace's Paddy McCarthy is out for three months after undergoing shoulder surgery while Watford are set to stick with Grzegorz Rasiak up front ahead of Tamas Priskin.

Palace midfielder Ben Watson is expected to give Middlesbrough a final answer today on whether he wants to move to the Riverside in a £2million deal, as Fulham continue to monitor his situation.

Watson, 23, spent last night at a Teesside hotel after undergoing a medical and discussing personal terms with the Premier League strugglers. He was due to return to the club's Rockcliffe training ground to receive the results of the medical and for more talks over terms, but he is also keen to meet Fulham officials after they matched Boro's bid.