Watford striker Tommy Smith denied Championship relegation battlers Barnsley a much-needed win with a late equaliser at Vicarage Road.

Jon Macken's second-half strike appeared to have clinched Barnsley's first league win in four matches, but Smith dealt the Yorkshire side's survival hopes a hefty blow in the 88th minute when he slammed home Jobi McAnuff's cross from close range.

Macken clinically finished in the 67th minute following substitute Adam Hammill's fine right-wing cross, but Watford hit back to extend their unbeaten home league run to seven matches.

Watford manager Brendan Rodgers has led the Hornets clear of the drop zone since arriving at Vicarage Road in November, but Barnsley were desperate for their first league win in seven games following their midweek defeat at South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.

Watford hit the post through Hungary striker Tamas Priskin in the first half, but home goalkeeper Scott Loach kept his side in it when he turned away Barnsley substitute Kayode Odejayi's late header before Smith pounced for his 16 goal of the season.

Watford named the same side which drew 2-2 at Vicarage Road with Southampton on Tuesday, while Barnsley made one change, with Daniel Bogdanovic starting in place of Hugo Colace.

Both sides created early openings. Barnsley striker Michael Mifsud headed straight at Loach and Jamal Campbell-Ryce shot wide from 20 yards.

Watford went close through Ross Jenkins, who rifled the ball over from the edge of the penalty area before Campbell-Ryce tested Loach with another 20-yard effort.

The home side were then denied a 22nd-minute lead when Priskin's angled drive from similar distance hit the post before McAnuff was just off target trying his luck from outside the area.

Barnsley midfielder Anderson De Silva headed wide from Andranik Teymourian's corner as the visitors forced Watford on to the back foot in a see-saw encounter.

The Yorkshire side were first to threaten after the interval when Loach was forced into a smart save from Mifsud's shot.

Mifsud's Malta international team-mate Bogdanovic was replaced by on-loan Liverpool winger Adam Hammill early in the second half and Watford responded by sending on young midfielder Danny Rose for Aleksandrs Cauna.

In terms of possession and chances Barnsley had a slight edge for the first 20 minutes after the break and were rewarded with the opening goal in the 67th minute.

Hammill swung in a fine cross from the right wing and Macken raced into the six-yard box to despatch the ball beyond Loach for his first goal in seven matches.

The former Preston and Manchester City forward went close to doubling his side's advantage two minutes later when he drilled a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Odejayi replaced Mifsud in the 81st minute and his goalbound header was brilliantly saved by Loach soon after before the Hornets rescued a point in the closing stages.

McAnuff made space on the right and his ball in was met by Smith, who made no mistake from six yards.

Teams

Watford Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit, Williamson, Doyley, Cork,McAnuff, Cauna (Rose 58), Jenkins, Priskin (Hoskins 63), Smith.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Harley, Stepanov.

Goals: Smith 88.

Barnsley Muller, Hassell, Moore, Foster, Kozluk, Teymourian,De Silva, Campbell-Ryce, Bogdanovic (Hammill 56),Macken (Colace 87), Mifsud (Odejayi 81).

Subs Not Used: Guedes, Devaney.

Booked: Mifsud.

Goals: Macken 67.

Att: 16,052

Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).