Crystal Palace gained a vital point in their battle against relegation from
the First Division and halted Watford's progress towards the play-offs.
Palace were ahead for much of the game after taking the lead in the 14th
minute when Watford skipper Robert Page brought down Ricardo Fuller in the box.
Captain Dean Austin stepped up to send Espen Baardsen the wrong way from the
spot.
Neither side impressed in the next hour as both teams seemed unable to put
together cohesive movements, but Palace shaded the exchanges.
Watford's Tommy Smith turned to fire against the upright via an outstretched
defender's arm after 59 minutes, but almost immediately Clinton Morrison grazed
the outside of the upright with a shot for Palace.
Watford hit back after 76 minutes. Paul Robinson's corner was flicked on by
Darren Ward and Allan Nielsen climbed to glide a header in off the inside of the
post.
Two minutes later Watford were ahead. Tommy Mooney turned to hit a glorious
shot from 25 yards to beat the Palace keeper.
But Watford were unable to hold on to their lead.
In the 88th minute Tommy Black found himself unchallenged outside the box as
he picked up a half-cleared corner. His low shot was deflected by Page onto the
inside of the post and into the net.
Teams:
Watford: Baardsen, Cox (Vernazza 65), Robinson, Page, Palmer,
Ward, Nielsen, Mooney, Wooter (Hyde 46), Noel-Williams, Smith.
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Smart, Helguson.
Booked: Page.
Goals: Nielsen 77, Mooney 79.
Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Upson, Austin, Zhiyi, Harrison,
Hopkin, Mullins, Rodger (Black 50), Riihilahti,
Fuller (Forssell 82), Morrison (Freedman 82).
Subs Not Used: Berhalter, Verhoenen.
Booked: Riihilahti.
Goals: Austin 15 pen, Black 90.
Att: 15,598
Ref: S Mathieson (Stockport).
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