PLYMOUTH, England (AFP) - Watford overcame spirited opposition from Championship side Plymouth to claim a hard-fought 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory at Home Park on Sunday.

A first-half wonder strike by Algerian forward Hameur Bouazza and a series of excellent saves from England goalkeeper Ben Foster prevented the Pilgrims from reaching only their second-ever FA Cup semi-final.

Adrian Boothroyd's Watford face a tough task to survive in the Premiership this season, but a place in the last four of the FA Cup will provide a timely boost.

Boothroyd saluted Foster and said: "I believe Ben is going to be the world's best and he has kept us in the game today.

"The town of Plymouth has been buzzing so we knew it would be tough. We had to ride our luck quite a bit at times, but the cup has been good to us. To get into the semi-finals is a massive achievement."

For the Home Park clash -- a repeat of the sides' FA Cup semi-final encounter in 1984 that Watford had won 1-0 -- the Hornets welcomed back Foster to the starting line-up after injury.

Watford had the game's first chance in the eighth minute, but Tommy Smith fired over the bar after connecting with a punched clearance from Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

Plymouth's first chance came after Watford failed to clear the ball from the penalty area. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake seized possession but his shot ended in the stands.

The Hornets broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Smith played a short corner to Steven Kabba who then threaded the ball to Bouazza, whose first-time shot soared over McCormick into the roof of the net.

Argyle fought back strongly, showing the spirit that had sent them to their first FA Cup quarter-final in 23 years. In seven frantic minutes for the Watford defence, Plymouth came agonisingly close to levelling the scores.

First Scott Sinclair -- onloan from Chelsea -- had a drilled shot blocked, Nalis shot over and Kevin Gallen brought a great save out of Foster from a long-range freekick.

The keeper, who is on-loan from Manchester United, also held on to an effort from David Norris.

Watford's fightback was brief, as Ebanks-Blake's fierce shot inside the box was again brilliantly stopped by Foster.

Half-time did nothing to calm Watford's nerves as the Hornets were immediately forced deep into their own territory, a situation that lasted for most of second-half.

Norris wasted a glorious chance to equalize at the start of the second period -- the midfielder blasting high and wide after being sent clear.

In a bid to strengthen his midfield, Boothroyd hauled off Kabba and replaced the striker with James Chambers, who shortly after entering play was booked for foul-play.

On the rare occasion that Watford ventured into the Plymouth half, they nearly made it 2-0. Pacy winger Bouazza, 22, steamed down the left-flank before whipping a cross into the near-post where substitute striker Darius Henderson had a header saved by McCormick. The ball fell to Damien Francis, whose instant shot was blocked.

Plymouth never gave up and with under 15 minutes remaining again came close to equalizing. But Foster showed why he could soon become England's first choice stopper.

The 23-year old rose superbly to tip away a header from Nalis after the Plymouth captain had risen magnificently to meet a curling free-kick from substitute Tony Capaldi.