A LATE, late strike from midfielder Jobi McAnuff earned the Golden Boys a point as an impressive Cardiff side struck either side of half time.

McAnuff's curling shot against his former side in added time, brought about a dramatic ending to the Boxing Day clash with the Welsh side as wild celebrations erupted around the Vic.

It was largely frustrating again for the Hornets in front of their own crowd as Dave Jones' side impressed and always looked a threat in front of goal.  

The Bluebirds took the lead in the second half thanks to a strike from Peter Whittingham after a mix-up in the Watford midfield. It was more than the visitors deserved in truth and they were inspired by an impressive performance from wide man Joe Ledley.

Cardiff came to Hertfordshire on the back of a weekend victory over Sheffield United and looked in confident mood.

Jumping for joy... Jobi is off to celebrate

Boss Aidy Boothroyd stuck with the same starting line up and subs, while Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink started on the substitutes' bench for the Welsh side.

The Golden Boys made a positive start - sending two great balls in from the left flank. First McAnuff sent in a testing cross and then Jordan Stewart progressed forward and whipped a ball into Nathan Ellington at the far post.

At the other end a free kick was easily cleared but only as far as Cardiff captain Steven McPhail who tried his luck with a low shot which just went wide of Richard Lee's right hand post.

The Bluebirds tried to get the ball out wide early and Steven MacLean and Paul Parry linked up well in attack with good movement which proved to be a threat all afternoon.

The game started to open up further as the clock hit ten minutes and within a couple of minutes Lloyd Doyley had slipped a lovely ball through to Tommy Smith that was intercepted at the vital moment by a Cardiff defender. 

Cardiff showed their intentions at the other end which brought about a great save from Lee. Parry found space down the Bluebirds left and headed towards goal. Lee quickly advanced from his line and forced an early shot from Parry and the Watford stopper pulled off a great reaction save.

After those chances the game entered a lull as Watford lost their way slightly and neither side managed to break each other. Cardiff forced a corner kick and after Lee punched Gavin Rae's looping shot, that was as close as either side went.

That was until just after the half hour mark. Ledley showed his skills for the visitors with a clever turn and snap shot which forced a corner kick for the Bluebirds. From the resulting kick, Ledley delivered a well worked set piece and defender Roger Johnson rose the tallest and headed home past Lee.

Immediately after the strike, John-Joe O'Toole was taken off with Lee Williamson entering the fray.

Cardiff looked confident after taking the lead and Ledley's influence on the game was growing. Once again the midfielder was involved and with the Hornets out of shape at the back, a cross field ball found Whittingham who had the freedom of Vicarage Road.

He controlled and blasted a shot goal bound that cannoned off Stewart for a corner kick. The Bluebirds had now stamped their authority on the clash and the Golden Boys didn't seem to know how to respond.

Marlon King and Ellington had been starved of the ball and were well marshaled by the Bluebirds back four.

Watching brief... Tommy Smith sees McAnuff's strike home

It was only with a few minutes of the first half remaining did the 'Orns attack with any aggression and urgency. Firstly McAnuff wriggled free down the left and found Ellington, but the ex-Baggie saw his effort blocked and then King's far post effort sailed wide of the post and that brought the half to a disappointing end.

Watford drew the scores level thanks to captain Jay DeMerit in the early stages of the second half.

The American stayed up in the Cardiff penalty area after an earlier attack and he was found after Stewart's long delivery from the left back position. Ellington and Smith flicked the ball on and the centre half hooked the ball past Kasper Schmeichel in the Cardiff goal.

The scores didn't stay equal for long as the Bluebirds took the lead again after a misunderstanding in the Watford midfield. Damien Francis' clearance hit substitute Williamson and Whittingham gladly picked up the ball.

After taking a few strides the wide man unleashed a low shot which slipped in between Lee and his right hand post.

It was another blow for the Golden Boys and once again they found themselves chasing the game at Vicarage Road. McAnuff did his best to level things up by unleashing a stinging effort from the right of the penalty box that was well saved by loanee Schmeichel. 

The boss changed it round just after the hour mark with the Hornets looking unlikely to grab an equaliser. King, who had a quiet game by his usual high standards, made way for Darius Henderson and he joined Ellington in attack.

Team players... the Hornets celebrate success

Henderson made a nuisance of himself straight away and was trying to get on the end of high balls into the box - the Doncaster born striker saw one header loop over the upright.

At the other end Parry and MacLean were clever with their movement and linked up well on the break. The Hornets could have easily been 3-1 down but for the outstretched Lee.

Cardiff's movement was again good and from Whittingham's byline drawback, Parry's shot was just saved by the Watford 'keeper. 

With the game slipping away from the 'Orns, Boothroyd brought on Dan Shittu to try and rescue a point. Within seconds of entering the fray the big defender found himself free in the box but his goal bound effort was saved by Schmeichel.

The Golden Boys continued to press and again it was McAnuff's rasping drive which stung the hands of the Cardiff 'keeper. Smith then had a great chance to level the scores after he'd stayed onside but the 'keeper rushed to deny the former Sunderland man.

Yesss... Jobi punches the air in delight

Then with one of the last kicks of the game, McAnuff picked up a clearance and drove a beauty of a strike past Schmeichel into the top corner to send Vicarage Road into wild celebrations with Boothroyd running down the touchline to congratulate his goal scorer.

Jobi's a good 'un... McAnuff finishes the match

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley, DeMerit (c), Jackson (Shittu 84), Stewart; Smith, O'Toole (Williamson 32), Francis, McAnuff; King (Henderson 63), Ellington. Subs not used: Poom (gk), Ainsworth.

CARDIFF CITY (4-4-2): Schmeichel; McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi; McPhail (c), Ledley, Whittingham, Rae; Parry, MacLean (Purse 85). Subs not used: Oakes (gk), Ramsey, Floyd-Hasselbaink, Blake.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Stewart (professional foul, 37). CARDIFF CITY; McPhail (professional foul, 53).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. CARDIFF CITY; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; DeMerit (49), McAnuff (90+3). CARDIFF CITY; Johnson (34), Whittingham (56). 

REFEREE: G K Hegley (replaced by I F Bentley, 16).

ATTENDANCE: 17, 014