Watford's 2-1 win over Millwall saw Sean Dyche come of age as a manager after he took the bold step of dropping England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach.
Though it was goals from left-back Carl Dickinson and midfielder Craig Forsyth, after 85 minutes, that gave Dyche his first home win and pushed Millwall into the bottom three, the rookie Watford boss must be praised for a decision that could have backfired.
Loach was left out for the first time since November 2008, though there were several times last season when his poor form would have justified demotion.
Dyche, who took charge in June, gave reserve Rene Gilmartin his League debut for Watford and relegated Loach to the bench. He said: "Sometimes you just have to make decisions. Scott has played a lot for this club and I thought it was just time for him to come out.
"He's a fantastic goalkeeper, still young in goalkeeping years and he'll come again for sure. It's very difficult for a goalie because it's a very individual position. His professionalism in dealing with it [being dropped] was fantastic.
"Rene came in and we didn't particularly learn any more as I can't remember him having a shot to save and bizarrely he hasn't kept a clean sheet. It's part of his learning curve for sure."
In fact, Gilmartin was beaten by a fluke in the 68th minute when Liam Feeney's centre looped off the boot of Watford defender Lloyd Doyley and against the far post before going in.
That ended Millwall's goal drought which had lasted nine hours and 23 minutes but Kenny Jackett felt his side should have already been 1-0 up. The manager claimed Dany N'Guessan's first-half effort should not have been ruled out for offside and said: "I don't think we got the best of the officials' decisions."
Millwall came into the match on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Derby and Jackett added: "It was a better performance than on Saturday. We have to take the spirit we showed and find more going forward."
