Micky Mellon couldn’t hide his delight after League One Tranmere dumped Premier League Watford out of the FA Cup on Thursday evening – setting up a mouth-watering tie against Manchester United.

With the score tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, substitute Paul Mullin headed the vital goal in extra time, sending Birkenhead delirious and gripping the Wirral with cup fever.

There is hardly any time for reflection as Rovers will now host 12-times cup winners United at Prenton Park on Sunday – a match that will be televised live – but Mellon was insistent of savouring the moment.

After the match, he told the Globe: “It’s massive for a whole host of reasons. It’s huge. You can’t underestimate how big a result and performance it was because now you are able to say that Manchester United are coming to Tranmere on Sunday.

“I don’t know that last time Tranmere played Manchester United in a competitive game. I’m not sure.

“But to be able to bring that to the local community and the fans is huge to develop the club. We’ve had loads of tough times.

“Tonight was brilliant I loved the way that Tranmere showed it’s muscle again as a football club. You only had to look at the terraces to know that this could really take off here.”

A crowd in excess of 10,000 roared Rovers on to victory, but there is sure to be a full house on Sunday when the Red Devils roll into town.

In January two years ago, Tranmere were non-league and lining up against Maidenhead United, now they face the 20-times league champions – progress that was not lost on Mellon.

Wirral Globe: Micky Mellon was thrilled by Rovers' victory of Watford in the FA Cup Third Round. Photo: Tony CoombesMicky Mellon was thrilled by Rovers' victory of Watford in the FA Cup Third Round. Photo: Tony Coombes

He said: “To get results likes this for a team that was a non-league team three seasons ago is a fantastic achievement.

“Of course, we understand the league position, but we’ll build on that tonight. I think we’ve been building on it for the past few weeks. You’ve seen the quality of the lads that have come in and how they’ve moved things ahead. That was important.”

“We spoke ahead of this game and I said potentially your next three matches could be Watford, Manchester United and Sunderland. How good is that? Let’s not lose sight of where we’ve been an now what we’re getting.

“There’s a real appetite for a top team on the Wirral and came out in their numbers tonight and they’ll go away really pleased with how we represented them.

“It was massive but it’s only massive if we harness it and move it on.”