The Dutchman's fortuitous first-half strike was enough to secure the win at Vicarage Road on Friday evening but the hosts had plenty of chances to stage an upset.
'I think we played a bad game today,' Van der Vaart told ESPN.
'Sometimes you have these days. The 100 per cent sharpness is not there.
'I think it was a difficult game, the pitch was heavy and yes they played a great game.
'It was a lucky strike but I'm happy it caused the win.'
Carlo Cudicini maintains his team-mates were aware the tie would be tricky prior to the match but was pleased to progress into the next round.
'Once you've been in England for a while you know what the FA Cup is about,' Cudicini said.
'We knew it would be a difficult game and it was. So we're pleased to go through.
Cudicini's fingertip save from Sean Murray's curled effort in the second half denied Watford their best chance to equalise, and the Italian targets a league and cup double this term.
'Yes, sometimes you just need a little touch and the ball went onto the post,' he said. 'Lucky but at the same time it was what we needed at that moment.'
'We have a great squad. We have shown that in the Premier League and we hope for a long run in the FA Cup as well.'
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