AFTER recent slow starts the Hornets got underway in the brightest possible fashion this evening as they took a two goal lead before the fiesty Bluebirds fought back to level the scores with two second half goals.

Watford took the lead thanks to hot-shot John-Joe O'Toole's early bullet header and Will Hoskins' deflected strike doubled the lead some minutes later. The dismissal of Tamas Priskin ultimately changed the game though as the Golden Boys were on the back foot from then onwards.

The game was full of incidents with 'keeper Richard Lee saving another penalty - his third in two games - during an action packed Championship affair.

The Hornets returned to Vicarage Road after picking up their first away points of the season on Saturday against the Saints.

There was just the one starting change for Aidy Boothroyd's men as John Eustace dropped down to the bench with young Irish midfielder O'Toole replacing him.

Loan man Grzegorz Rasiak returned after a lengthy lay off with a shoulder injury to take his place on the substitutes' bench.

The decision to pick O'Toole looked to be an inspired one, as with just over a minute on the clock he headed home powerfully from inside the box to beat Cardiff 'keeper Tom Heaton.

Leigh Bromby launched a long throw-in from the left flank, it had some distance on it as the ball came to Tommy Smith through a crowded area after the Bluebirds failed to cleared their lines. He dinked the ball back in and the Academy graduate made no mistake as he got his head to the ball.

O'Toole makes it six for the season and opens the scoring

After making a point about the way his team have started recent games, boss Boothroyd will have been delighted with the way they burst out of the blocks and bagged a one goal lead.

Cardiff came to Hertfordshire flying high in the league, however they were missing the highly-rated Joe Ledley through injury. Centre half Darren Purse captained the visitors, while they featured ex-Liverpool man Mark Kennedy.

Jay Bothroyd was showing some strong attacking play for the Bluebirds in the opening stages, he shrugged off a challenge from Aidy Mariappa down by the left touchline and put in a square ball to the on-rushing Kevin McNaughton, but he could only blast his effort over Lee's upright.

With 22 minutes on the clock Hoskins and Priskin linked up well with Hoskins chesting the ball down to the Hungarian, who took aim, but could only watch as his stinger sailed to the side of Heaton's goal.

The Golden Boys doubled their lead midway through the first half though, when Hoskins struck a harmless looking shot from the Watford left, it deflected off full back McNaughton, wrong footed Heaton, who had slipped on the turf, and the ball trickled into the unguarded net.

Hoskins hits home... with a little help from the City defence

It was an action packed first half an hour and the drama didn't stop there as the home side soon found themselves down to 10 men.

Hungarian Priskin was given his marching orders by referee Roger Beeby, after consulting with his assistant the man in charge called the striker over and handed him a straight red.

The Hornets had been preparing to take a corner kick and there appeared to be some jostling in the box, no one went down but the officials had clearly seen something they didn't like.

Therefore, despite the lead, the game swung towards Cardiff - immediately they tried their luck with a teasing ball to the back post but forward Ross McCormack nodded his header wide of Lee's woodwork.

Bothroyd was impressing for the visitors and his strength was causing the Hornets some problems.

He linked up well with Kennedy, after he spotted an inviting space past Smith, Kennedy's teasing cross was deflected by Lee as the ball fizzed across goal. 

Roger Johnson's pinpoint shot from the edge of the box then forced a full stretch save from Lee with a few minutes remaining until half time. It was a fine effort and an equally impressive save from a man enjoying his run again in the team.

O'Toole wheels away in delight after his early opener

Boothroyd made a change at half time with Eustace entering the fray in place of midfielder Lee Williamson. Hoskins was playing the lone forward role following the dismissal of Priskin.

Cardiff started the second half in whirlwind fashion laying siege to the Watford goal. The Bluebirds swung balls in from both flanks and put the 'Orns under a huge amount of pressure.

Stephens McPhail's dinking drive went wide of Lee's post, then Johnson's searching header missed the post after an excellent cross from Peter Whittingham.

The home team had to make the most of any attacks that came their way with Hoskins working hard to bring the ball down and wait for the assistance of his teammates.

Full back McNaughton curled the ball well wide of Lee's post after an encouraging break down the right flank.

The Golden Boys were being pegged back by the visitors and if anything looked more like an away team, being forced to soak up pressure and make the most of possession and breakaways that came their way.

And the Bluebirds had their best opportunity to pull a goal back from the spot just before the hour mark.

Whittingham was brought down inside the crowded penalty area and the offender, Smith, was handed a yellow card for his troubles.

Up stepped McCormack, staring straight at Lee, and the Hornets' Academy graduate again pulled a superb stop to his right, to produce his third penalty save in the space of four days. Surely a new record outside of shoot-out competitions?

Lee makes it three - a record to be proud of

Lee's name rang out around the stadium as the home supporters rejoiced, while Cardiff had their heads in their hands.

They then produced another superb chance but didn't take it as Whittingham missed from a matter of yards out after McPhail's fine cross from the right.

Boothroyd made his second sub of the night as Rasiak stripped off and was sent on to replace Hoskins. His arrival meant for a more powerful attack to try and trouble the visitors.

But with just less than 20 minutes remaining Dave Jones' men halved the deficit as Bothroyd's deflected strike flew in past Lee - the stopper finally beaten after a number of fine saves.

Within a few minutes the Bluebirds had struck again to equal the scores - the pressure finally too much for the Watford backline.

Jon Harley in the mix against the Bluebirds

Bothroyd was there at the far post to dramatically smash the ball past Lee after an inviting cross and a knock down to the former Wolves man. 

Watford had to rally themselves and Smith, now captain, took the bull by the horns and after a mazy run drilled a low shot that Heaton could only parry.

With legs tiring space was appearing, the Bluebirds also having the one man advantage. However neither side could find the killer goal and the referee blew time with the scores still at 2-2.
 
WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Mariappa, Bromby, Ward, Sadler; Smith (McAnuff 89), O'Toole, Williamson (c) (Eustace h/t), Harley; Priskin, Hoskins (Rasiak 67). Subs not used: Tyler (gk), Doyley.

CARDIFF CITY (4-4-2): Heaton; McNaughton (Comminges 72), Purse, R Johnson, Kennedy; Rae, Whittingham (E Johnson 65), McPhail, Parry; Bothroyd, McCormack. Subs not used: Enckelman (gk), Gyepes, Blake.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Smith (professional foul, 72). CARDIFF CITY; Rae (ungentlemanly conduct, 76).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; Priskin (violent conduct, 29) CARDIFF CITY; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; O'Toole (2), Hoskins (24). CARDIFF CITY; Bothroyd (72, 75).

ATTENDANCE: 13,461 (717 Cardiff supporters)

REFEREE: R J Beeby.