Saturday 20 February: Daily Mail

Scunthorpe 2 Watford 2: Hornets pay penalty in dramatic finish 

GARY Hooper scored a last-gasp penalty to salvage a point for Scunthorpe against 10-man Watford in a dramatic Coca-Cola Championship clash at Glanford Park.

Hooper held his nerve to slot home from the spot with the last kick of the game after Jay DeMerit was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area.

John Eustace looked to have snatched it for the Hornets with an 89th-minute header as the Hornets rallied following Tom Cleverley's sending off eight minutes from time.

Hooper had given Scunthorpe an undeserved first-half lead only for Danny Graham to equalise, before a dramatic finale which denied Watford a first away win in four.

It was Watford who fashioned the first goalscoring opportunity in the seventh minute when Graham set up Don Cowie and the midfielder flashed a left-footed strike wide.

Scunthorpe were on the back foot and former Middlesbrough striker Graham headed straight at Iron goalkeeper Joe Murphy after 10 minutes.

Nigel Adkins' side had a lucky escape after 22 minutes when Heidar Helguson's left-foot strike rebounded off the post.
It was all one-way traffic and Cowie crossed for Icelandic frontman Helguson, who was once again unfortunate to see his header strike the post 27 minutes in.

But Watford were made to pay for failing to take their chances when Scunthorpe took the lead with their first shot on goal three minutes before the break.

Not for the first time this season Paul Hayes played in his striker partner Hooper, who kept his composure to slid the ball past Hornets keeper Scott Loach for his 12th goal of the season.

Midfielder Martyn Woolford almost doubled Scunthorpe's lead four minutes into the second half when his venomous right-foot drive from the edge of the penalty area was palmed onto the crossbar by the highly-rated Loach.

Watford responded and Demerit should have done better when he rose highest to meet a Tom Cleverley corner but headed wide of the target.

And the Hornets were deservedly level after 64 minutes when Scunthorpe failed to clear their lines following a Cowie corner and Graham was on hand to slot home from 12 yards out.

Grant McCann had an opportunity to restore Scunthorpe's lead three minutes later but his attempted backheel was comfortably saved by Loach.

And Loach had to be at his best to deny Hooper when the lively striker raced clear but saw his shot tipped around the post by the England Under-21 international.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men nine minutes from time when on-loan Manchester United midfielder Cleverley was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Michael O'Connor.

But Watford looked to have snatched it when Eustace rose to head home a Jon Harley cross.

John Eustace celebrates his 50th league start for the Golden Boys with a goal

However, their was to be a final twist as Hornets skipper Demerit was penalised for handball and Hooper held his nerve to beat Loach from 12 yards.

Saturday 20 February: Mirror.co.uk

Scunthorpe 2-2 Watford: The Sunday Mirror match report

HOOPER slotted home with the last kick of the game after Jay DeMerit was adjudged to have handled.
John Eustace looked to have snatched it for the Hornets with a 90th-minute header as the Hornets rallied following Tom Cleverley's sending-off eight minutes from time.

Hooper had given Scunthorpe an undeserved first-half lead, only for Danny Graham to equalise.
Watford fashioned the first opportunity in the seventh minute when Graham set up Don Cowie but the midfielder flashed a left-footed strike wide.

And on 22 minutes Heidar Helguson's strike came off the post before the same player's header hit the woodwork 27 minutes in.
But Scunthorpe took the lead three minutes before the break when Paul Hayes played in Hooper, who kept his composure to slide the ball past Scott Loach.

Martyn Woolford almost doubled the lead four minutes into the second half but his right-foot drive from the edge of the penalty area was palmed on to the bar by Loach.

Watford responded and DeMerit headed a Cleverley corner wide before the Hornets were level after 64 minutes when Scunthorpe failed to clear a corner and Graham slotted home from 12 yards.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Cleverley was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Michael O'Connor.

But Watford looked to have snatched it when Eustace headed home a Jon Harley cross.
However, DeMerit was penalised for handball and Hooper held his nerve to beat Loach from 12 yards.

Saturday 20 February: News of the World

Last gasp Hooper spot on to rescue a point

GARY Hooper converted an injury-time penalty to snatch a point for Nigel Adkins' men.
Hooper had given the Iron the lead but second-half goals from Danny Graham and John Eustace looked to have gained Watford their first away win since October.

Then referee David Webb thought he saw a last-gasp Jay DeMerit handball and Hooper converted from the spot.
Watford boss Malky Mackay said: "I'm very disappointed. We had the chances to win and it feels like a loss. The penalty decision was incredible.

"The ball has hit DeMerit in the face and the linesman has given a corner. I couldn't believe it."

The home side went ahead against the run of play. Paul Hayes threaded an inch-perfect ball to Hooper, who rattled in his 12th goal of the season.

Danny Graham celebrates his goal in front of the travelling fans

Graham equalised from point-blank range, after Scunthorpe had failed to clear a corner.
Ten minutes from time, referee Webb gave Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley a straight red card for a late challenge on Michael O'Connor.

But the 10 men rallied and Eustace powered in Jon Harley's late corner, only for Hooper's penalty to spoil the party.

Adkins said: "When you're 1-0 up, you have to be disappointed when you don't get all three points."

Monday 22 February: Skysports.com

O'Connor hit with ban: Scunthorpe midfielder to miss three games

MICHAEL O'Connor will miss Scunthorpe's next three games after being hit with a Football Association charge.
The midfielder has been charged with violent conduct after the FA reviewed footage of an incident between him and Watford's Tom Cleverley during the 2-2 draw between the sides on Saturday.

His suspension will start on Tuesday with the Iron's clash against Ipswich at Glanford Park.
O'Connor will then sit out the Championship matches away to Newcastle and at home to Plymouth.