Burnley moved back into the play-off zone with a dramatic last-minute victory
at Vicarage Road while Watford, still without a win in 2002, were booed off the
field by their fans.
Gianluca Vialli's men appeared to have a convincing victory in sight as they
threatened to run amok in the first half with 19-year-old Lee Cook holding sway
on the left and Jermaine Pennant working the right flank.
And it was Pennant who gave Watford a deserved lead after 23 minutes when he
moved onto a shrewd pass from Micah Hyde, cut inside and clipped the ball into
the far corner of the net as defenders converged.
Pennant stretched goalkeeper Marlon Beresford again a couple of minutes later
and Watford, with Gifton Noel-Williams a constant threat, looked set to increase
their lead.
But a half-time roasting by Burnley boss Stan Ternent galvanised the visitors
into more determined action.
They survived a couple of threats from Pennant and could have equalised when a
good move finished with Ian Moore setting up Robbie Blake who side-stepped a
defender but then sent his shot straight at home keeper Alec Chamberlain.
Watford then spurned the chance of increasing their lead when after 64 minutes
Burnley defender David Gnohere, who had been booked for persistent fouling,
conceded a penalty against Noel-Williams. Marcus Gayle under-hit his spot kick
and Beresford, reading it well, made a comfortable save.
Five minutes later Burnley were on terms. A free kick by Lee Briscoe was
turned onto the upright by Chamberlain only for Ian Cox to reach the rebound
first and lash the ball into the net.
Watford could have regained the lead when another fine run by Pennant set up
Stephen Glass but his powder-puff finish went straight to Beresford.
With time running out Glass sent over a flag kick which Gayle met with a
header but steered the ball wide when looking certain to score.
For the second time in the evening he had to cause to regret the miss because
Burnley scored the winner in the last minute of the game.
Brad Maylett broke down the right and crossed. Wayne Brown, attempting to
clear, deflected the ball goalwards leaving Paul Weller with a simple head over
the line from close range.
Teams
Watford: Chamberlain, Blondeau, Galli, Vega, Brown, Pennant,
Okon, Hyde (Noble 81), Cook (Glass 76),
Noel-Williams (Hand 68), Gayle.
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Doyley.
Booked: Hyde, Okon.
Goals: Pennant 23.
Burnley: Beresford, West, Ball, Gnohere, Briscoe, Little,
Grant, Weller, Branch (Blake 31), Ian Moore, Taylor (Cox 61),
Blake (Maylett 87).
Subs Not Used: Armstrong, Cook.
Booked: Gnohere, Grant.
Goals: Cox 72, Weller 90.
Att: 12,160
Ref: M Messias (York).
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