WATFORD will travel to the KC Stadium on Wednesday knowing they have to overturn a two-goal deficit if they stand any chance of making the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The Hornets lost out by two goals inside the first 25 minutes after a storming start which saw a disallowed goal from Dan Shittu at the Vicarage Road end.

It was by no means a poor performance from the Hornets - whatever they threw at Boaz Myhill he was equal to and the woodwork came to the rescue as well.

There was yet still further drama as the Golden Boys will have to do without club captain John Eustace after he was given his marching orders by Mr Friend after another inexplicable refereeing decision from the official.

Prior to kick off boss Aidy Boothroyd sprung a surprise by including ex-Hereford winger Lionel Ainsworth in his starting line-up.

With Darius Henderson serving a one-match ban after being given his marching orders at Blackpool, Boothroyd opted to play Nathan Ellington up front.

Ainsworth started on the right flank with Jobi McAnuff on the left. Player of the Season Tommy Smith moved into the middle and he and the two wingers shared the responsibility of supporting Ellington. 

A noisy Vicarage Road welcomed the two sides and the home team started brightly and came out of the traps flying.

Mat Sadler's corner floated in to the back post but defender Leigh Bromby couldn't connect properly with the ball. It was a perfectly weighted cross and was an indication of things to come from the Hertfordshire side.

With just a few minutes on the clock, McAnuff put a tremendous corner in to the box and Shittu headed home, the referee looked to have initially allowed the header but the joy was short-lived as the goal was disallowed.

Apparently, the man in charge took exception to an alleged push in the packed penalty box from Bromby and the 'Orns were harshly brought crashing back down to earth.

Replays have clearly shown that the only player pushing anyone in the box was Hull's excellent stopper Myhill. It was to be the first of two howlers from the man in black.

Friend or foe? Referee rules out Shittu's legitimate goal

It was a flying start for the 'Orns as they looked industrious and focused - however it would have been a lot better if that early strike had been allowed to stand.  

Then at other end the Tigers' Dean Windass nearly sneaked in between Richard Lee and Bromby, and Lee was forced to make a brave dive.

Hull continued their burst of pressure and after a mix-up between Shittu and Sadler, Shittu's header dropped short and Fraizer Campbell nicked in to steal the ball.

He crossed for ex-England man Nicky Barmby and his shot went under the dive of 'keeper Lee to send the northern side into the lead. The early goal and chances at both ends made for a lively start in the blazing May sunshine with the noise levels turned up to the maximum as well.

Just as he did at the KC Stadium, Hull's striker Campbell was proving a handful and after indecision between Bromby and Lee the Man United loanee nearly sneaked in.

The Tigers were shortly appealing for a penalty when Richard Garcia went down under the watchful eye of Sadler - despite his protests Mr Friend wasn't impressed and waved play on.

With just over 20 minutes gone the Hornets were punished for a second time as the visitors doubled their lead.

The Tigers were allowed too much time and space to get the ball out wide to Andy Dawson. The full back whipped in a cross to Campbell, his header deflected off Bromby on to the crossbar and veteran striker Windass reacted to head past the desperate dive of Academy graduate Lee.

The Golden Boys did their utmost to bounce back and McAnuff was again the outlet in what was a positive performance throughout from the ex-Palace man.

His piercing run caught Hull out and his superb cross found Ellington, but the Duke's shot was deflected out for a corner much to the relief of the Hull fans behind that goal.

Jobi joins in the action with another run at goal

McAnuff again took the resulting corner and put the ball straight across the six yard box but there was no Watford player to meet the ball - if anyone had made a connection the likelihood was that it would have been one back for the 'Orns.

The pace was relentless in the early afternoon heat, the Tigers roared down the other end and Campbell got the ball off Bromby. He laid the ball to his strike partner Windass and his chip was headed clear.

McAnuff continued his assault on the Tigers and with further brave runs gave Sam Ricketts a torrid afternoon.

Another jinking run ended with a crisp, powerful shot which fizzed just over Myhill's upright.

The Hornets won a corner after his shot got a deflection, Sadler's curling flag kick found Smith but he couldn't quite get his boot to the ball just a few yards out from goal.

The Player of the Season was more involved as the interval neared and his chipped cross to the back post was just nicked away from the waiting McAnuff.

Finally, in time added on at the end of the first half, Myhill was called into action to tip Smith's sweet strike over the bar.

A few minutes after the re-start, Lloyd Doyley's long throw was headed on to the Hull crossbar by Shittu who had made his way forward with a strong run.

The Hornets looked thirsty for goals as the ball poured in from all angles and the crowd further stepped up the noise levels. Sadler's bullet of a shot was tipped out for a corner by the diving Myhill and Ellington's neat flick on was met as well by the Hull stopper.

Around the hour mark the intensity levels were raised even more as the Hornets were reduced to 10 men. Captain John Eustace was involved in a challenge with a Hull player and he was given a straight red by the referee.

Eustace falls over a striken Hull player only to recieve a red

Eustace was bemused to say the least and was sent off after being harangued by several Hull players, including their skipper Ashbee. Replays have shown that his feet weren't off the ground and little contact was made in what looked a legitimate challenge. It was another appaling decision from the unfriendliest of referees.

During the action, it had been apparent that Shittu couldn't continue after an earlier injury. Jay DeMerit stripped off and took the Nigerian defender's place.

Now down to 10 men the 'Orns looked even more determined to claw their way back into this game. Smith drilled another shot at Myhill's goal and McAnuff continued to burrow away down the right hand flank.

Ashbee gets involved before Eustace is sent off

While the Hornets pushed on, they left themselves slightly exposed at the back and with Campbell's pace he found space and ran towards goal. The loanee unleashed a bullet of a shot that produced an excellent save from Lee in the Watford goal.

Then just moments before he was substituted Garcia hit an effort that looped over the upright.

Boothroyd changed things around by bringing Tamas Priskin and John-Joe O'Toole off the substitutes' bench, in place of Doyley and Ainsworth.

The Hungarian striker quickly adapted to the pace of the game as his fiercely struck shot was parried clear by Myhill.

But yet still the visitors attacked the 'Orns - substitute Nathan Doyle rattled the post from a curling shot from outside the penalty box. From the rebound fellow sub Caleb Folan missed an empty net with Lee still grounded.

The end to end action carried on and from another McAnuff corner, Bromby hit a half-volley that was blocked by Hull midfielder Bryan Hughes. And yet there was still more as DeMerit picked out Priskin whose glancing header went inches wide of Myhill's right hand post.

The announcement of four minutes of stoppage time was greeted with a cheer inside the Vic but it wasn't enough as the Tigers stood strong to withhold the pressure from the 'Orns.

In fact it was the visitors who could have added a third when Campbell continued tormenting the defence and after twisting and turning Salder his curling shot fizzed wide of Lee's post.

The Hornets now have to go to Hull and pull an almighty comeback out of the box. Known for their drama, the play-offs are the place to do it and if the 'Orns continue with the determination they showed at Vicarage Road they will certainly give themselves a fighting chance. 

WATFORD (4-4-1-1): Lee; Doyley (O'Toole 74), Bromby, Shittu (DeMerit 61), Sadler; Ainsworth (Priskin 74), Williamson, Eustace (c), McAnuff; Smith; Ellington. Subs not used: Poom (gk), Mariappa.

HULL CITY (4-4-2): Myhill; Dawson, Turner, Brown, Ricketts; Garcia (Doyle 74), Ashbee (c), Hughes, Barmby (Fagan 64); Campbell, Windass (Folan 68). Subs not used: Walton, Duke.  

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Priskin (78 professional foul). HULL CITY; Campbell (44 dissent).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; Eustace (59 professional foul). HULL CITY; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; none. HULL CITY; Barmby (8), Windass (22). 

REFEREE: K A Friend.

ATTENDANCE: 14,713 (1958 Hull supporters).