Norwich substitute Jamie Cureton hit a superb late strike to deny Watford three points in their Coca-Cola Championship title chase and earn the Canaries a 1-1 draw..

The hosts had dominated throughout a scrappy game and looked set to claim the win thanks to defender Danny Shittu's early header.

But Cureton stunned Vicarage Road with a sensational long-distance strike just five minutes after coming on to replace left-back Mo Camara.

Adrian Boothroyd's side had slipped out of the top two after a run of three straight draws but despite extending that run to four returned to second place to put the pressure on surprise leaders Bristol City.

The Hornets face City and fellow rivals Stoke in their next two games and while their direct style of play has won few friends in the Championship this season it has put them back in the driving seat to win promotion back to the Premier League.

The visitors were under constant pressure early on and after a flurry of dangerous corners Watford took the lead in the 11th minute.

Jobi McAnuff sent in a corner from the left and Shittu was left unmarked just four yards out and made no mistake with a powerful header.

It was the huge defender's ninth - and easiest - goal of the season.

Norwich struggled to venture into the opposition's half as the game descended into a series of Leigh Bromby throw-ins and free-kicks.

McAnuff was a rare bright spark and he forced David Marshall into a sharp save when he let fly from 25 yards before a spell of horizontal snow brought the half to an end.

Norwich could hardly have made less of an impact in the opening 45 minutes but veteran Dion Dublin went close in the opening minute of the second half.

Dublin rose well to meet Lee Croft's measured cross but his header lacked direction and drifted wide of Richard Lee's goal.

Dublin was then presented with another sight of goal after an incisive break from Croft but hurried his shot and fired over from the edge of the area.

Shittu then should have doubled his tally from a Mat Sadler corner but after challenging David Marshall missed his kick with the goal gaping.

Norwich striker Ched Evans caused a rare moment of panic when he connected brilliantly with a 30-yard free-kick but it was unfortunately arrowed straight into Lee's midriff.

Canaries debutant Juan Velasco was fortunate not to concede a penalty with 15 minutes remaining when he pushed Tommy Smith to the ground but referee Keith Stroud was unmoved before Collins John was introduced to make his belated Hornets debut.

The Dutch striker was signed on loan from Fulham in January but has struggled with a hamstring injury.

But it was fellow sub Cureton who turned the game on its head when he picked the ball up 25 yards out and drove a beautiful strike past Lee and into the top corner.

There was still time for Dublin to nearly score a stunning own-goal but Marshall pulled off the save of the night to spare the former England man's blushes.

Dublin was facing his own net when his attempt to clear resulted in a backheeled volley which was destined for the top corner until Marshall clawed it away.

Teams:

Watford Lee, Mariappa, Shittu, Bromby, Sadler (Stewart 72),Smith, Eustace, O'Toole, McAnuff, Henderson, Ellington (John 76).

Subs Not Used: Poom, DeMerit, Williamson.

Booked: Eustace.

Goals: Shittu 11.

Norwich Marshall, Pearce (Shackell 61), Doherty, Bertrand, Camara (Cureton 75), Croft (Otsemobor 89), Fotheringham, Velasco, Pattison, Evans, Dublin.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Gibbs.

Booked: Velasco, Pattison.

Goals: Cureton 81.

Att: 16,537

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).