WATFORD came away empty handed as bottom of the table Peterborough took home all three points from Vicarage Road after scoring the only goal in the encounter. It was a frustrating afternoon for the 'Orns who, try as they might, couldn't find the back of the net, despite a valiant effort from the whole team.

Malky Mackay welcomed back Tom Cleverley to his team after the talented youngster had completed his three-match ban for his red card at Scunthorpe.
Apart from this one change, the Hornets stayed with the same starting line-up that lost on Tuesday night's game with Swansea.

Helguson and Danny Graham were partnered in attack with the towering figure of Martin Taylor and captain Jay DeMerit sat at the heart of the defence.
On the bench for the Golden Boys once more were Stephen McGinn and Will Hoskins.

For Peterborough, midfielder Lee Frecklington missed out after picking up a calf injury midweek and winger Chris Whelpdale remained sidelined with a groin injury.

As the game began Hornets' fans were hoping for revenge after losing out at Peterborough earlier on in the season but the first few minutes were a scrappy affair as Peterborough kicked off in front of a capacity crowd attacking the Rookery End.

Both teams had early corners as they tried to get a grip on the game but the first real chance fell to Peterborough. A free-kick on the edge of the area was whipped in to the box and the ball fell to Mark Little whose shot was deflected wide.

Loach was then called in to action after 11 minutes and showed why he is the England U21 goalkeeper with a terrific double save. First, he blocked a shot from Mackail-Smith and then from the rebound by Little, Loach dived to his left and managed to palm the ball away.

Watford responded well as Danny Graham couldn't quite get on the end of a Don Cowie cross on 15 minutes. Cowie then blasted over from the edge of the area as Watford began to string some promising attacks together.

On the half hour mark, Heidar Helguson flicked on a cross from Cowie which then fell to Cleverley. But the quick-footed youngster couldn't quite keep his volley down as his shot flew in to the Peterborough fans.

Both teams were struggling to create clear chances on a day where competing in passing play was proving difficult. A frustrated Henri Lansbury was then booked on 39 minutes for kicking the ball away.

Just before half-time Peterborough almost took the lead as a throw in on the left hand side fell to the dangerous Mclean whose quick turn and shot clattered the post.

As the half came to an end, the Hornets' fans were beginning to get frustrated and were hoping the Watford manager's half-time talk could have the desired affect.

As the teams re-appeared after the break, Peterborough made one change with Exodus Geohaghon replacing Sergio Torres and the Hornets remaining unchanged.

The second half began with United in the ascendency and they almost took the lead within the first few minutes as Aaron Mclean caused more trouble for the 'Orns. After a neat bit of control, Mclean turned and saw his shot go past the post.

Peterborough, however, didn't have to wait long to get their reward. On 51 minutes, Loach's clearance fell to Liam Dickinson who had spotted the Hornets goalkeeper off his line and neatly lobbed the ball over Loach's head as he raced to get back in position.

The Hornets tried to respond immediately and almost equalised through Mariappa whose shot was saved by Joe Lewis after a deflection. Danny Graham then had a glorious chance for Watford as the ball fell to him in the area but he could only fire his shot over.

Will Hoskins was brought on to replace Graham with 30 minutes left. The substitute had a chance to make his mark on the game a few minutes later as he charged through the right side of the penalty area, but the linesman called the ball offside for the frustrated home team.

On 71 minutes, Cleverley corner picked out the head of Helguson, who then flicked it on to the imposing figure of Taylor in the penalty box. But the ball was a little too long and the chance was lost as the ball went out for a goal kick.

Adding another set of fresh legends to the field, Malky brought on Liam Henderson for Cowie as the 'Orns continued to push forwards for the equaliser.

Lansbury was brought down just on the edge of the area but Cleverley's confident curling shot was just centimetres too high and it whizzed past the crossbar.

Mariappa had a great chance to level the scores with 76 minutes gone, his shot ricocheting off Posh 'stopper Lewis as the home side refused to give up on the game.

Loach made a save on 79 minutes when a shot came in from Boro's Charlie Lee but the ball was safely in the England U21 'keeper's hands before it could do any damage.

The Hornets continued to battle, as Mariappa was in amongst the action again, delivering a shot towards the goal, but the defender was denied by Aaron McLean.

Peterborough did not want to end their goal tally at one, pushing up the field and forcing another finger tipping save from Loach who had worked magnificently for the whole game.
Mariappa was then replaced by youngster Stephen McGinn with five minutes of normal time remaining.

The fans were in fine voice throughout the game, urging the players up the field.

It seemed as if nothing would make a goal go in for the Hornets as try as they might, corner after corner was floated in and connected with but the tall figure of former England U21 goalkeeper Lewis continued to deny the home team their much sought after goal.

On 87 minutes, Lansbury had a fantastic opportunity to equalise as he powered a long straight ball into the area, but the shot was saved by Posh 'keeper and skipper Lewis.

There was uproar from the Rookery end as Hoskins was brought down by Tommy Rowe in the area a minute later the referee signalling for a free kick after much protest from the Watford camp. Hoskins took the kick and it was unlucky not to result in a goal for the Hornets as it went sailing into a congested box, the Golden Boys unable to finish the job off.

As the clock ticked out of normal time and into the four added minutes, the Hornets pushed everything they had into the penalty area, but in reply 'Boro's defence stepped up a gear, continuing to ruin the day for Watford.

A gutted squad of Golden Boys returned to the dressing room on a day where it seemed nothing they had thrown at the defiant Posh would get past them.

WATFORD: Loach, Mariappa (McGinn 85), DeMerit (c), Taylor, Doyley; Cowie (Henderson 72), Eustace, Lansbury, Cleverley; Helguson, Graham (Hoskins 60). Subs:Jenkins, Lee (gk). Harley, Hodson.

PETERBOROUGH: Lewis; Morgan, Zakuani, Lee, Dickinson, McLean (Reid 82), Mackail-Smith, Rowe, Little, Torres (Geohaghon 46), Griffiths (Simpson 75). Subs: McKeown (gk), Day, Crook, Green.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD: Lansbury 40, Helguson 90+2. PETERBOROUGH: none

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD: none. PETERBOROUGH: none.

GOALS: WATFORD: none. PETERBOROUGH: Dickinson 51

ATTENDANCE: 16, 591 (1,491 away)