Alan Ball's crisis-hit Portsmouth gained a valuable point at Vicarage Road.
They held high-riding Watford to a draw and could have sneaked victory.
Early in the second-half Sammy Igoe was presented with a clear chance from 10
yards when the ball ran to him from Steve Claridge. Igoe opted for a snap shot
and fired straight at Watford keeper Alec Chamberlain.
Not that Portsmouth did not have their moments of good fortune, not least in
the 63rd minute after Watford boss Graham Taylor had made three substitutions.
One of them, former Wolves and Aston Villa winger Tony Daley jinked down the
right and put in a low curling cross which was met by Gifton Noel-Williams. The
ball was blocked by the keeper and bounced out to Richard Johnson who had the
goal at his mercy but rapped the shot against the back of Noel-Williams.
Early in the first-half Nick Wright should have given Watford the lead when a
cross from Northern Ireland international Peter Kennedy eluded Noel-Williams.
The ball fell to Wright at the far post but he sent his header over the target.
Portsmouth fought a largely rearguard action in the first-half and had to be
content with long-range attempts - one from Igoe just dipping over the bar with
Chamberlain beaten.
Keeper Andy Petterson did well to hold on to a fierce free-kick from Kennedy
and also was in the right position to save from Johnson just before the break.
Portsmouth, after Igoe has spurned a chance, had another opportunity when
Michalis Vlachos climbed to head at the far post and sent the ball right across
the face of goal and out for a goal kick.
Watford were distinctly below par but Tommy Mooney sent a header over the bar
late in the game as the home side mounted a rally.
Teams
Watford: Chamberlain, Bazeley, Kennedy, Page, Palmer,
Iroha (Bonnot 62), Smart (Mooney 62), Hyde, Noel-Williams,
Johnson, Wright (Daley 62).
Booked: Kennedy.
Portsmouth: Petterson, Robinson, Simpson,
McLoughlin (Hillier 32), Whitbread, Nightingale, Thomson, Peron,
Vlachos, Claridge, Igoe.
Subs Not Used: Andreasson, Thogersen.
Att: 12,057
Ref: R Oliver (Sutton Coldfield).
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