Defiant Ray relives Anfield hell

Yet the architect of those two runs cheerfully admits he "will not see a penny" of the estimated £1million that cash-strapped Watford will bank from their cup exploits.

Lewington, 48, is a manager used to, and comfortable, working with limited resources.

He has certainly had plenty of practice in a 19-year managerial career that began in inauspicious circumstances as player-manager of Fulham in the autumn of 1986 at the age of 29.

Just weeks into his tenure, Lewington was handed the poisoned chalice of a League Cup tie against Liverpool - the last occasion he took a team to Anfield.

"When it first came out of the hat we were a poor side," recalls Lewington. "We were fourth from bottom of the old Third Division although the directors were rubbing their hands together.

"In those days the early rounds were played over two legs. We had to travel to Anfield first and we went there with several injuries. I had a couple of apprentices on the bench and feared the worse going into the game."

It turned out to be a night that Lewington will never forget as Fulham were put to the sword by Kenny Dalglish's Double winners.

A first-choice Liverpool team, including Dalglish, Ian Rush, Ronnie Whelan, Steve Nicol and Steve McMahon, thrashed Fulham 10-0 - a record victory for the Anfield side in this competition.

"I remember Dalglish and Rush having an argument when we were 5-0 down," said Lewington. "It was quite frightening. It showed their professionalism. There was no question of easing off. I was in central midfield chasing shadows. It was like trying to put your finger over a dyke. It was just a battering and did us no good at all.

"They had won the Double a few months before and we were a struggling lower division side who had got rid of some of our best players.

"You don't learn from complete humiliations. We were a team of young players and it affected us badly. A couple of them never got over it. It was so early in my career as manager that it knocked everyone for six."

Yet, Fulham recovered enough to only lose the second leg 3-2 at Craven Cottage and to finish mid-table in the league that season. Dalglish and Lewington-were two of the pioneering player-managers but the Watford boss's experience was somewhat different to that of the former Scotland international.

"I had to play, manage and coach at Fulham," said Lewington. "We had no scouts so we had to go and watch games all week ourselves. My wife washed the shirts for six weeks when we couldn't afford to repair the washing machine.

"No job will ever be as tough as Fulham at that time. Twice we got closed down and we had demonstrations on the pitch for at least three or four games when David Bulstrode, the chairman at the time, tried to sell the ground for housing. I think I saw just about everything in four years of management at Fulham but I enjoyed those times. It toughened me up and, as it turned out, got me used to working with limited resources."

Considering the financial constraints he has had to endure at Watford, Lewington is delighted to be 180 minutes away from guiding the club to only their second ever final.

He said: "We know that we are massive underdogs. But we intend to go there, give it a really good go and give ourselves a chance for the second leg at Vicarage Road."

Lewington is considering playing five in midfield with in-form Heidar Helguson a lone striker - a tactic that worked a treat against Fulham - as Danny Webber is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

"Danny has been out a couple of months now. He has come off the bench a few times but he has not played a reserve game. Him and Hameur Bouazza are getting their fitness back in matches. Neither would last 90 minutes at the moment," said Lewington.

Although Liverpool have played a second-string side on the way to the semi-final, they will field an experienced line-up tonight with captain Steven Gerrard and striker Milan Baros both set to start.

Manager Benitez said: "It is important to put out a strong side that can win and get us to the final."