Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Troy Deeney in action with Queens Park Rangers' Jake Bidwell and Toni Leistner REUTERS/David Klein

BERLIN (Reuters) - Premier League's Watford were made to sweat to beat lowly Championship club Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Friday and book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons.

Watford had possession in the first half but struggled to make any inroads against the solid home defence until Etienne Capoue swept a low shot into the net in first half stoppage time.

QPR turned the tables after the break, controlling the midfield but lacking the final touch up front.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Etienne Capoue celebrates scoring their first goal with Ken Sema and team mates REUTERS/David Klein

Watford, who have never won the competition, put the ball in the net again in the 73rd minute but Andre Gray's effort was ruled offside in a very narrow call.

The visitors did it well in the final minutes, dropping deep to protect their lead as QPR frantically searched for an equaliser and with captain Toni Leistner missing a golden opportunity from point-blank range .

Premier League heavyweights Manchester City are in action on Saturday at Newport County.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Heurelho Gomes in action REUTERS/David Klein

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Jose Holebas celebrates with Adrian Mariappa at the end of the match REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Ken Sema in action with Queens Park Rangers' Massimo Luongo REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Etienne Capoue applauds the fans at the end of the match REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Etienne Capoue celebrates with team mates at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs