Heidar Helguson's injury-time header rekindled Watford's play-off hopes and
dented Norwich's promotion challenge in a scrappy game at Vicarage Road.
Allan Nielsen had given the Hornets a slender lead on the stroke of half-time
but an own goal from Neil Cox levelled matters in the 53rd minute.
Helguson had earlier wasted two good opportunities, but he finally got his
name on the scoresheet at the death as he stole in unmarked to power home
Anthony McNamee's corner for his 10th goal of the season.
Watford boss Ray Lewington, looking for his side to bounce back from what he
described as their worst performance of the season at Millwall, restored Paul
Robinson to the starting line-up.
Norwich, meanwhile, made two changes from the side which beat Brighton in the
FA Cup in midweek, with Darren Kenton and Iwan Roberts coming in for Zema Abbey
and injured top scorer Paul McVeigh.
The visitors had the first chance of the afternoon in the seventh minute.
David Nielsen tried to pick out strike-partner Roberts with a cross from the
right. It eluded the Welshman and instead found midfielder Mark Rivers - but his
header flew wide of the far post.
City were enjoying a good spell of early pressure, and moments later Nielsen
forced a fine save from Hornets goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain with a drilled shot
from a tight angle.
The home side's response was a weak volley from Paolo Vernazza which failed to
trouble Robert Green, and the Canaries attacked once more with Nielsen blazing a
shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Vernazza, who had been booked after just five minutes, was lucky to stay on
the field following a late challenge on Darel Russell in the 35th minute as
referee Alan Wiley kept his cards in his pocket.
Chances had been at a premium until the last five minutes of the half.
Russell's pinpoint cross picked out Phil Mulryne in the 42nd minute but the
midfielder's powerful header crashed back off the post.
Moments later Nielsen, a constant threat to the Hornets' rearguard was
controversially flagged offside when he had seemingly timed his run to
perfection.
The action swung to the other end of the pitch, with Micah Hyde denied by the
legs of Green after good work by David Nielsen's namesake and Danish compatriot
Allan.
And it was Watford's Nielsen who opened the scoring from the resulting
corner.
Norwich failed to clear and Jermaine Pennant took advantage as he raced to the
byline and crossed low for Nielsen to fire the ball into the bottom corner.
City were level shortly after the restart. Mulryne's teasing cross was missed
by Roberts but inadvertently turned into his own net by unlucky defender Cox.
Watford brought on Tommy Smith for Gifton Noel-Williams as they looked to
regain the advantage, and they came close after 64 minutes when Pennant's deep
cross found Helguson but he headed straight at Green.
The Icelandic striker spurned another opening 10 minutes later as he cut
across his marker before firing a weak shot at the keeper.
The Hornets looked the side most likely to snatch the points in the closing
stages and they got their reward in injury time.
Substitute McNamee's corner was met by a thumping header from Helguson to seal
the win and move Lewington's men into the top 10.
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