Iffy Onuora starred for Gillingham as he scored one and created two to end a miserable first season at Vicarage Road for Watford manager Gianluca Vialli.

Vialli was brought in to help the Hornets back into the top flight, but despite a string of signings, they finish the Division One campaign in 14th place.

The one bright spot for Vialli was the performance of teenage midfielder Anthony McNamee, who scored his first senior goal for the club after 12 minutes.

Allan Nielsen was also on target for the home side, who twice took the lead but could not hold onto it, with Chris Hope and Paul Shaw replying for the Gills.

Even though the two teams had nothing left to play for, the game started at a roaring pace, with both goalkeepers called into action in the first two minutes.

With only 30 seconds on the clock Simon Osborn tried his luck with a volley from outside the box which went straight to Alec Chamberlain.

And the Hornets then went straight down the other end of the field where Gills goalkeeper Jason Brown was forced to tip over McNamee's left-foot effort.

Moments later, Guy Butters produced an excellent block from Danny Webber's close-range shot.

But the Hornets continued to press and McNamee broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a spectacular first goal in senior football.

After collecting Paul Okon's pass, the 17-year-old cut inside from the left and unleashed an unstoppable shot which flew past Brown into the corner of the net with 12 minutes on the clock.

The home side were now well in control with the Gills being pressed back, and former Wimbledon striker Marcus Gayle fired over from outside the box.

Shaw should have brought Andy Hessenthaler's side level in the 32nd minute, but his close-range volley was blocked by Chamberlain's legs.

And defender Neil Cox then missed a good chance to give Watford a two-goal cushion when his header from McNamee's corner from the left flew wide of the goal.

The Gills dragged themselves back onto level terms three minutes before the break when Hope headed Onuora's left-wing cross beyond Chamberlain.

It took Vialli's men just 10 minutes of the second half to regain the initiative with Marcus Gayle crossing from the right for Nielsen to bundle the ball home.

Osborn attempted to restore parity once again, but his ambitious volley from outside the area flew wide of Chamberlain's goal.

McNamee should have increased Watford's lead and doubled his career tally on the hour mark, but his close range volley flew over the bar.

But Gillingham battled back again and equalised for a second time with a superb strike from Shaw in the 69th minute.

Onuora was the provider once again as he released the former Arsenal and Millwall player who flashed home a left-foot shot.

And with just five minutes to go, Onuora capped an impressive personal display by converting a cross from player-manager Hessenthaler from close range.

Teams

Watford Chamberlain, Robinson, Cox, Doyley, Nielsen (Gibbs 82), Hyde, Okon, Hand (Helguson 75), McNamee, Gayle, Webber.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Smith, Noble.

Booked: Doyley, Robinson, Cox.

Goals: McNamee 12, Nielsen 55.

Gillingham Brown, Rose, Ashby, Hope, Butters, Browning, Smith, Osborn (Hessenthaler 78), Onuora, Shaw (Pennock 90), King (Ipoua 75).

Subs Not Used: Bartram, James.

Booked: Shaw, Onuora.

Goals: Hope 42, Shaw 69, Onuora 85.

Att: 15,674

Ref: T Parkes (Birmingham).