Lennie Lawrence's gamble with Robert Earnshaw failed to pay off as struggling Cardiff slipped to a dramatic defeat at Vicarage Road.

Lawrence had watched his side's promotion challenge waver over Christmas with a run of three successive losses, and the City manager surprised the away support at Watford by naming Earnshaw among his substitutes.

The prolific forward had struck 21 times for his side during the first half of the season, but Boxing Day's 1-0 defeat to Walsall had extended his goalless streak to five matches.

In the absence of the Wales international, Andy Campbell and Peter Thorne were given responsibility up front, and the latter briefly repaid his manager's faith by driving home Campbell's header with 53 minutes gone.

But Scott Fitzgerald equalised soon after and Lee Cook's header with two minutes remaining sealed three deserved points for the hosts, who had looked by far the better side for long periods.

Marcus Gayle's early effort, which flew narrowly over the crossbar, exposed Cardiff's lack of confidence at the back, and Heidar Helguson also threatened with a dangerous but off-target volley.

Lawrence's problems deepened with 20 minutes gone as talented defender Danny Gabbidon limped off injured and was replaced by Chris Barker, and the change encouraged Watford to throw players forward.

Cook almost forced the opening goal shortly after, firing a shot from inside the box against the legs of goalkeeper Martyn Margetson, and 60 seconds later Neil Cox saw his effort cleared off the line by Spencer Prior.

Cardiff finally tested Hornets keeper Alec Chamberlain on the half-hour mark with a long-range strike by Barker which never looked like finding the net.

But the home side continued to look dangerous and another good effort from Helguson forced Margetson to tip the ball wide at full stretch.

Chamberlain then did well to hold a 36th-minute shot from Graham Kavanagh, who had previously failed to make any impact, and the City captain was denied again with the interval approaching when his curling free-kick dropped into the veteran keeper's arms.

Lawrence resisted the option of throwing on Earnshaw at the break, but the forward's introduction seemed inevitable with Watford controlling the match.

Helguson and Gavin Mahon both went close within minutes of the restart, and Margetson was again called upon to keep out Cook's strike in the 50th minute.

But three minutes later the visitors snatched an ill-deserved lead after Cook had been penalised for for a foul on Willie Bolland.

Kavanagh's trademark free-kick from the left wing was headed back across goal by Campbell, and Thorne timed his run perfectly to lash the ball past Chamberlain.

The goal rattled Watford and City's advantage was almost doubled instantly as Richard Langley's stinging strike was brilliantly parried by Chamberlain.

But the save was to prove crucial when Fitzgerald levelled the score on the hour mark. The Watford striker was left unmarked on the edge of the six yard box and pounced on a loose ball for his ninth goal of the season.

Devlin then watched Margetson dive to keep out his goalbound effort as both sides went for the jugular, but though Earnshaw finally appeared with 17 minutes remaining, the Hornets grabbed a dramatic late winner.

Helguson met a cross from Danny Webber and drove a powerful header at Margetson, and as the ball rebounded off the City keeper, Cook produced an instinctive strike to finish Cardiff.

Teams

Watford Chamberlain, Ardley, Cox, Gayle, Smith, Devlin, Hyde, Mahon, Cook (Vernazza 90), Helguson, Fitzgerald (Webber 84).

Subs Not Used: Dyche, Dyer, Lee.

Booked: Cox, Smith.

Goals: Fitzgerald 61, Cook 88.

Cardiff Margetson, Prior, Gabbidon (Barker 21), Vidmar, Weston, Kavanagh, Boland, Langley, Whalley (Bonner 81), Campbell (Earnshaw 74), Thorne.

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Croft.

Booked: Boland, Langley.

Goals: Thorne 53.

Att: 15,512

Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).