WATFORD fired a late, late equaliser to earn a point after Ipswich Town had taken an early lead.

Sub Nathan Ellington was the savior in time added on as the striker converted one of Watford's few chances.

The Hornets had few opportunities at goal on the evening and were largely chasing the game after a strong start by Roy Keane's men.

Tom Cleverley was missing for the Golden Boys at Portman Road, after the Manchester United loanee went off injured during Saturday's game at Middlesbrough.

He suffered mild concussion and therefore wasn't risked for the second of Watford's games within six days.

That meant just the one change for the Hornets as John Eustace returned to the starting XI, in place of Cleverley in the centre of the park, the former Stoke captain had missed the game at the weekend due to food positioning.

Elsewhere, it was the same players who turned out for the Golden Boys at the weekend.

Without a home win before the game, the home side were desperate for three points to kick-start their season and lift them away from the foot of the table.

Former Hornet Tamas Priskin was named amongst the substitutes for Watford, the Hungarian having moved to Suffolk during the recent transfer window.  

The home side came out looking purposeful and ready for action, they wasted no time in imposing themselves on the Golden Boys.

Within five minutes Mackay's men were one down. Watford gave away a free kick just inside their own half.

A long ball was floated in to the far post and after the opportunity passed for the Hornets to clear their lines, Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley didn't need asking twice as he nodded home a powerful header past the exposed Scott Loach.

It was a goal the Watford bench and players would have been bitterly disappointed with - especially considering the time of the watch and the matter in which they conceded.

It could have been 2-0 just two minutes later as Lee Martin cracked an effort against the bar after it had the beating of Loach from close range, after a ball had been fired into the Hornets' penalty area.

Keane's men had started the game very well while the 'Orns didn't look settled and struggled to cope with Ipswich's quick attack.

Chances for the Hornets were few and far between, the first of any note coming on eight minutes as John Eustace saw his header easily saved by Asmir Begovic, after Adrian Mariappa's long throw in.

There was a scare at the other for the Golden Boys as Craig Cathcart jumped high to win a long throw on into the box, but his header unexpectedly cannoned off and went in the wrong direction - forcing Loach to backtrack and tip the ball over his bar.

Next up to aim and fire at the Watford net was full back Liam Rosenior, who is on loan from Reading.

He rifled a low shot at goal that Lloyd Doyley did well to get his body in the way off and direct the ball behind for a corner.

The half continued to go in Ipswich's favour as Watford struggled to carve out any chances of note.

Ellington watches his strike go past Ipswich 'keeper Asmir  Begovic

Former Sunderland man Edwards struck a shot from inside the penalty area that narrowly missed Loach's post in the 38 minute and then two minutes later, Grant Leadbitter drove an effort that rose up and just missed Loach's net.

Late on in the first half, Watford midfielder Don Cowie had a curling effort that just avoided Asmir Begovic's upright - but it was a rare chance for the Hornets.

Two minutes of added time was played and Mackay, his staff and players marched quickly down the tunnel to hold a half time de-brief. 

There were no changes for the Golden Boys at half time, but there was still time to salvage something from the game as despite the pressure from the home side, Keane's outfit had only found a way past Loach just the once.

Ipswich made one change at the break, bringing off Lee Martin and replacing him with Jaime Peters.

The opening exchanges of the second half saw Watford eagerly look to get the ball forward with every opportunity; unfortunately it brought little joy as the Ipswich defence stood solid.

Henri Lansbury was playing just behind Danny Graham this evening and he was keen to get himself on the ball, as was Cowie who looked to support the front two whenever possible.

Ipswich had the backing of the home crowd though and confidence grew from the stands as they strung passes together and whenever they won any set pieces or dangerous free kicks.

The first chance didn't fall until the 56 minute for the 'Orns when Lansbury curled a free kick into the box after Eustace had been upended by an over-zealous Town player.

Ellington celebrates with his teammates after saving the Hornets in the dying minutes

The Arsenal loanee directed a decent ball to the box but Mariappa couldn't get a good enough connection and the opportunity faded away.  

Loach was called into action just after the half hour mark as the hosts took advantage of a quick break and having an extra man over.

The ball made its way from Ipswich's left to right and after Doyley couldn't get a boot in to intercept the all-important pass, Edwards struck it first time and the England U21 stopper used his boot to direct the ball up and over the bar.

Sub Connor Wickham, who has progressed up through Town's Academy, was a danger when he came on.

A header was directed wide and he was looking to get on the end of some lovely balls being floated in by Edwards from Town's right flank.

Mackay brought on Nathan Ellington to liven up his attack just after the hour mark and add some further support to Graham.

On 77 minutes, Edwards again got on the ball down the Tractor Boys' right flank and sent a high ball into the Watford penalty area.

After a tidy flick on, McAuley couldn't direct it at Loach's goal as it sailed wide.

Eight minutes from time, following a dangerous corner, Loach had to be at his best at the tall figure of Wickham won a header and sent a header goal bound that was tipped over by the stopper.

Ipswich had stepped up the pressure during the later periods of the affair and more often and than not, Loach was being called into action.

Nathan Ellington celebrates scoring Watford's last gasp equaliser

Again, following a corner kick, he had to dive to his right to save a header inside Watford's box, after a ball hand been slung in from Town's right.

Watford had a rare chance to test Begovic three minutes from time, but Ellington's free kick eventually proved to be a simple task for the 'keeper as he got down low to save. 

The game looked to be lost but Ellington took his chance well in stoppage time as Graham crossed the ball and the former Wigan man tapped the ball pasted the despairing 'keeper.

IPSWICH TOWN; Begovic; Rosenior, McAuley, Smith, Wright; Edwards, Leadbitter, Trotter, Martin (Peters h/time); Walters (c) (Quinn 90+1), Counago (Wickham 60). Subs: Lee-Barrett, Bruce, Priskin, Colback, Quinn.

WATFORD; Loach; Hodson, Mariappa (c), Cathcart, Doyley; Cowie, Eustace (Ellington 63), Jenkins, Harley; Lansbury (Bryan 89); Graham. Subs: Bond (gk), Severin, Bennett, Hoskins, Henderson.

GOALS: IPSWICH TOWN; McAuley (5). WATFORD; Ellington (90+4).

BOOKINGS: IPSWICH TOWN; Counago (professional foul 17), Leadbitter (ungentlemanly conduct 89). WATFORD; Harley (professional foul 15), Jenkins (ungentlemanly conduct 89).

SENDING OFFS: IPSWICH TOWN; none. WATFORD; none.

ATTENDANCE: 19,284.