Ten-man Plymouth kept their Coca-Cola Championship play-off hopes intact after holding on during a testing finale for a point in a 1-1 draw against Watford at Home Park.

Peter Halmosi made life difficult for the Pilgrims with his 63rd-minute dismissal, but Paul Sturrock's side held on.

Lee Williamson's superb free-kick pulled Watford level, just moments after Jermaine Easter's seasonal goal had given Plymouth a first-half lead.

Despite playing through an agonising 10 minutes of added time, Plymouth stayed resilient to bank what could prove a crucial point.

Both sides began the afternoon in the play-off places - with Watford, just three points behind the league leaders, boasting the best away record in the division.

Sturrock remained faithful to the side that claimed an impressive away win at Bristol City last time out, but Luke McCormick replaced Rab Douglas after returning from suspension.

For the Hornets, Williamson came in for the suspended John Eustace - who was sent off in the goalless draw with Stoke.

It was Plymouth who posed the bigger threat in the opening stages.

Paul Wotton hit the first meaningful attempt in the sixth minute. The Plymouth midfielder lashed a right-foot effort from 35 yards out over the bar.

Gary Teale was next to try his luck for the hosts, but his shot too sailed over - before Chris Clark saw his drive blocked down by Dan Shittu.

The first save of the afternoon was made by McCormick, after Shittu planted a low drive from just inside the box goalwards.

Clear-cut chances were sparse, with much of the action taking place in midfield areas.

But a decisive ball from Rory Fallon finally split the Watford back line for the breakthrough.

Fallon found Easter superbly from the right flank, and the Welsh striker made no mistake in wrong-footing goalkeeper Richard Lee and neatly placing the ball home.

The visitors were almost immediately level, though.

Fallon brought down Jobi McAnuff just outside the penalty area, and Williamson curled a delightful right-footed effort inside the top left corner.

The second period began quietly as both sides continued to struggle in the final third.

Wotton again tried his luck from range, but his shot flew harmlessly over the target.

At the other end, Shittu blasted over from the edge of the area moments before McAnuff went inches wide with a deft, curling effort that beat McCormick but fell the wrong side of the post.

The game swung with Halmosi's 63rd-minute sending-off.

The midfielder's sliding lunge on Mathew Sadler was the final straw for referee Phil Joslin, who reached for a second yellow card and left Plymouth facing a testing final 25 minutes.

They were nearly punished further when Darius Henderson connected with Sadler's left-sided free-kick but sent his faint header narrowly over the mark.

Plymouth were focused on a containing job, with a Wotton free-kick saved by Lee the closest they came to sneaking a winner.

With Watford striving forward, McAnuff burst through only to blast his effort over.

The Hornets were unable to penetrate their hosts' depleted defence, and James Paterson cleared a late Shittu attempt off the goalline.

Teams:

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Anderson, Seip, Sawyer,Teale (Paterson 74), Wotton, Clark (Nalis 74), Halmosi, Easter,Fallon (Timar 88).

Subs Not Used: MacLean, Mackie.

Sent Off: Halmosi (68).

Booked: Halmosi, Anderson.

Goals: Easter 34.

Watford Lee, DeMerit, Bromby, Shittu, Sadler, Smith,Williamson, O'Toole, McAnuff, John (Ellington 77), Henderson.

Subs Not Used: Poom, Stewart, Kabba, Bangura.

Booked: Sadler, Henderson, O'Toole.

Goals: Williamson 37.

Att: 17,511

Ref: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).