A LATE equaliser from Swansea City captain Alan Tate denied the Hornets all three points on a mild afternoon in south Wales.

The Hornets kept the ball well all game and Danny Graham's strike looked to have won the game for the men from Hertfordshire, but Tate struck in injury time to ensure the points were shared at The Liberty Stadium.

The Golden Boys arrived at The Liberty Stadium for their last game of the month and their final league match before the first international break of the season.

Watford's opponents Swansea City had played extra time in midweek, just as the 'Orns did in the Carling Cup, however its fair to say that the Welsh side had more talking points in their cup exit!

A host of red cards and injuries for Paulo Sousa's men meant the hosts had to change things around for the visit of Malky Mackay's side.

New signing Craig Beattie started in attack - while there was a place on the bench for the returning Lee Trundle.

It had been a busy week at Vicarage Road but Mackay went with a young side as he returned to The Liberty Stadium following his double-header with the Swans when he was Caretaker Manager in November of last year.

News emerged from the dressing room prior to the game that defender Mike Williamson would not be taking his place in the starting XI.

After the Hornets declined his midweek transfer request and an undisclosed bid from an unnamed club, the former Wycombe man had reported in Friday morning and declared himself unable to travel to Wales.

In other team news, captain Jay DeMerit returned to the heart of defence, while Adrian Mariappa continued at centre half.

Lee Hodson on the ball

Academy full-back Lee Hodson kept his place in the team, while there was a first start for loanee Henri Lansbury and rookie forward Marvin Sordell.

Danny Graham was passed fit after hobbling from the field in Yorkshire on Tuesday night.

There were few talking points within the opening exchanges as both teams sounded out the opposition, the home side were particularly happy to keep possession and knock the ball around defence and midfield.

Watford won a corner on seven minutes, Tom Cleverley hitting in a strong ball to the penalty spot that Mariappa latched on to, but the Harrow-born defender couldn't keep his header down as it sailed up and over Dorus de Vries' bar.

There were groans of discontent amongst the home contingent early on as Sousa's side needlessly gave the ball away on a few occasions.

On a mild afternoon in Wales the Golden Boys meanwhile stood firm and strong in their 4-4-2 formation.

The home team came to life in the 12 minute as a cross field ball to the Watford left flank saw full back Matthew Collins get to the ball before Lloyd Doyley, but he couldn't keep his effort down as it climbed over Scott Loach's crossbar.

It did however get the crowd to life as the home support increased their vocal support.

A splendid corner from Andrea Orlandi managed to somehow escape everyone within the six yard box as it zipped across the penalty box without causing any damage to the scoreline.

Lansbury hit an effort at goal on 16 minutes after the Hornets had managed to keep the ball - Don Cowie provided the ball forward and Lansbury had escaped Swansea's attentions but his connection wasn't perfect and eventually it was an easy save for the home 'keeper.

Henri Lansbury in the heart of midfield

The Swans rattled the woodwork on 17 minutes after Collins put in a cross from the right flank and midfielder Mark Gower hit it first time, it evaded Loach's grasp and smacked back out off his upright.

Watford were playing some neat football in the midfield area with Lansbury and Cleverley interchanging and Cowie trying to provide some width and attacking flair.

Graham was industrious as normal and Sordell closed down the Swansea defenders while taking time to settle into the game.

Sordell indeed lashed a shot at the home net out of nothing in the 25 minute.

Following some further neat passing exchanges around the midfield area, the ball was played into the feet of Sordell and with his back to goal, the striker turned sharply and fired in a shot at goal with his left foot, that was superbly tipped wide by de Vries.

It offered some encouragement for the Hornets though and as Swansea had kept possession early on, now it was Watford's turn as the Hornets happily kept the ball and frustrated the home side and crowd.

Chances at goal for the 'Orns were largely restricted to long distance efforts - both Cleverley and Lansbury drilled shots at goal from midfield, that were dealt with by de Vries.

With a minute of the first half remaining Graham hit a low shot that was held by de Vries , Cowie followed up but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

The later stages of the first period provided some encouragement for Watford's staff and the travelling supporters as the 'Orns found their feet and had more than their fair share of possession, forcing de Vries into saves in the Swansea goal.

The half started with a great scoring opportunity for the Hornets, a ball was pumped into the area and amid the bodies Sordell tried to swivel and hit a shot at goal but he couldn't quite direct an effort past de Vries.

Graham celebrates with Tom Cleverley

On 52 minutes Beattie directed a soft header at Loach that was easily gathered by England U21 stopper Loach.

Watford continued to be hard to break down as Swansea were frustrated by the Hornets' hard working approach in Wales.

Against the run of play, Andrea Orlandi eyed up a shot as the 'Orns were slow to close him down and his deflected effort went over Loach's bar.

It was a rare scare for Mackay's men as his youthful side stuck to their game plan and despite the cries of the home crowd, Watford looked comfortable at 0-0.

There was shout from the home crowd in the 58 minute as Beattie and DeMerit clashed in the area - the American producing a perfectly timed tackle to stop the new striker in his tracks.

Nathan Ellington was brought on by Mackay in place of Sordell in attack. The Duke went on a few early runs down the Watford right flank, but neither of his crosses could find a team mate in the home penalty box.

Watford opened the scoring after a quick free kick. Collins had gone into the referee's book for a foul on Ellington and from Cleverley's slick pass into the penalty area, Graham was alive to it and blasted a shot under the body of de Vries for his third of the season.

Graham is joined by his team mates after opening the scoring

A chorus of boos rang out around The Liberty Stadium towards Mr A Taylor the referee, but Graham and his colleagues were too busy celebrating in front of the travelling fans to notice.

The crowd raised the roof further when Trundle was introduced in the 70 minute, he replaced Leon Britton.

Jon Harley was brought on by the Hornets to provide a fresh pair of legs to take Cowie's place on the left of midfield.

Trundle provided a moment of creative brilliance 10 minutes from the end of normal time, his beautiful ball to Beattie was lashed at goal but Loach stood up to it and turned it round the post for a corner kick.

From the resulting corner, there was panic in the area as full back Marcos Painter's header was directed at goal, but it was eventually blasted to safety.

The late onslaught continued from the home side as Orlandi's piercing shot was tipped round the post by the busy Loach.

A late Trundle header went just wide of Loach's post as Watford continued to hold on.

Five minutes of added time was added on as the Swans kept the pressure on the Watford goal going.

However Watford couldn't hold out as captain Tate found the back of the net from a header in time added on to ensure the home side saw a share of the points.

SWANSEA CITY: Vries; Collins, Williams, Tate (c), Painter; Dyer (Morgan 76), Lopez, Orlandi (Idrizaj 85), Britton (Trundle 70), Gower; Beattie. Subs: Cornell, Richards, MacDonald, Bond.

WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, DeMerit (c), Doyley; Cowie (Harley 75), Lansbury, Jenkins, Cleverley; Graham (Hoskins 81), Sordell (Ellington 53). Subs: Lee (gk), Eustace, Severin, Bryan.

BOOKINGS: SWANSEA CITY; Painter (professional foul 61), Williams (professional foul 64), Orlandi (professional foul 69. WATFORD; Loach (ungentlemanly conduct).

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

SCORERS: SWANSEA CITY; Tate (90+2). WATFORD; Graham (65).

REFEREE: Mr A Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 14,172 (469 Watford supporters)