WATFORD'S second half equaliser forced extra time at Elland Road in the Carling Cup against Leeds United, but it wasn't enough as the Hornets eventually went down 2-1 in Yorkshire.

Marvin Sordell's first professional goal meant extra time following Robert Snodgrass' opening strike.

The Hornets continued to battle but eventually Snodgrass proved the difference between the two sides as his delicate chip over Richard Lee won the game for the home side.

It was a young XI who finished the game, with Liam Henderson, Sordell and Lee Hodson all on the pitch, as well as Watford's two loan stars.

The Golden Boys hit the road again after returning to Hertfordshire for Saturday's score draw with Blackpool.

Manager Malky Mackay changed things around for the trip to Yorkshire to face Simon Grayson's League One outfit.

Lee returned in goal for his first appearance since the outing to Barnet in the last round of the Carling Cup.

In defence, again there was a return for Hodson in this competition, after he made his first start for the club at Underhill.

Mike Williamson captained the Hornets for the second time, this was in place of Jay DeMerit who was rested due to the forthcoming internationals and further flights in aid of America's World Cup quest.

John Eustace stepped into the middle of the park, next to Ross Jenkins, in place of Scott Severin.

Finally, in attack Will Hoskins came into the starting line-up in place of Tommy Smith.

On a sunny evening in Yorkshire the Hornets started brightly.

Hoskins made a determined start to the game as he took a shot inside the area that was well blocked in the first minute.

The early pressure carried on from the Golden Boys as Danny Graham got himself in a good position and flicked on a header into the path of Lloyd Doyley.

The full back had made great strides down the left flank in the sixth minute and from the by-line crossed for Hoskins who nodded wide of Shane Higgs' post.

The ever dangerous Jermaine Beckford created the first chance for the home side.

It was an unlikely angle as after holding off a Watford defender, the free-scoring striker tried his luck from near the corner flag.

Danny Graham battles for the ball

His connection was good but luckily for the Hornets, Lee was alert and plucked the ball out of the air.

After a quiet start, Leeds started to attack and after Jason Crowe put in a dangerous cross from the right, Lee was forced to punch under pressure.

In the 12 minute Graham took advantage of a mistake in the home defence, but after rounding the 'keeper he ran out of turf as the ball slipped out of play.

The best chance of the opening quarter of an hour fell to Bradley Johnson.

He took advantage of a moment of hesitation from Hodson and the strong midfielder breezed past the Watford challenges.

He then fired a shot at goal that whizzed over Lee's crossbar from 20 yards.

The Hornets kept their nerves though and weren't fazed by the vocal home support.

Don Cowie was back to his energetic and creative self as he saw his effort tipped over by Higgs in the Leeds goal.

Snodgrass was the next man to test Lee in the Watford net but the right sided midfielder couldn't force a save from the Academy graduate despite getting plenty of power in his shot.

The game continued to break from end-to-end as the Golden Boys attacked, Hoskins fired a shot at goal that was well saved by Higgs after a neat one-two with Tom Cleverley.

On the break the Hornets again tested Higgs in the 33 minute as Graham hit a low shot towards goal that was easily saved by the stopper.

Ross Jenkins made a vital interception just in front of the penalty area - breaking up a flowing Leeds move as the youngster offered protection to Williamson and Adrian Mariappa at the heart of Watford's defence.

Leeds had gone by the gear though after the half hour mark and seven minutes from half time they took the lead.

Right sided midfielder Snodgrass cut inside and curled a beauty of a shot round 'keeper Lee.

The noise levels continued to rise inside Elland Road but Watford settled back down and in the final few minutes came back into the action.

In the 41 minute, Hoskins wriggled away from a defender inside the box but his low effort was well held by Higgs.

Then in time added on Cleverley's neat shot saw Higgs parry the shot as it went out for a corner.

The goalscorer, Snodgrass, had the final shot of the half as his strong effort hit the side netting.

Mackay was forced into a change at half time as Graham didn't reappear for the second half.

The striker had gone down during the later stages of the first half and wasn't moving freely, so rookie striker Liam Henderson came on to partner Hoskins in attack.

The noise continued in Elland Road and the supporters gathered by Lee's goal nearly saw Watford's 'keeper beaten for a second time.

Captain Jonathan Howson smacked a lot shot goal bound that crept inches wide of Lee's post.

Snodgrass continued his one-man assault on Watford and Doyley, who was marking him, as he rifled in another shot on 54 minutes, this time his effort creeping the wrong side of the post.

On the other flank, Johnson carried on attacking Hodson as the second half went on.

Watford created a chance in the 57 minute as a cross field ball spotted Cleverley in space and the United loanee decided to try his luck first time but his tremendous shot bounced back off the post.

On the hour mark, Snodgrass cut in from the right and fired another effort at Lee, but the 'keeper did excellent to get down low and gather the powerful shot.

The Hornets were finding it harder after the break to carve out chances for themselves and despite the introduction of Henri Lansbury, in place of Jenkins, chances for Henderson and Hoskins were few and far between.

Lee pulled off a terrific save from Beckford after he danced into the area and away from Watford challenges, but Lee stood tall and did enough to put the striker off as he got a hand to his shot and tipped it over the bar.

Mackay made his third change of the evening with just under 20 minutes remaining, bringing on Sordell to team up with Henderson in attack, in place of Hoskins.

However, the Golden Boys were still frustrated in attack as the chances dried up and although Lansbury and the ever-industrious Cleverley added greater creativity, Leeds continued to have the better of the second half.

But the Golden Boys struck back after Leeds took their foot off the pedal in the final 10 minutes.

Marvin Sordell scores his first professional goal

After a throw in on the Watford right, the ball was pumped into the area.

It bobbed around in the crowded box and Leeds were unable to clear it. Sordell saw his first attempt blocked but he took another bite of the cherry and followed up and this time his bullet shot went under the dive of Higgs and into the back of the net.

It was the first senior goal for the youngster and he celebrated like it too - receiving the congratulations of his team mates.

Three minutes of stoppage time was played before the referee signaled the end of normal time.

Marvin Sordell celebrates with Don Cowie and Lloyd Doyley

The final touch fell to Henderson but he couldn't get enough power on his header from Cleverley's corner to the near post.

Watford had lifted their game towards the end of normal time and they continued to scrap and fight for everything as extra time kicked off.

Snodgrass continued to be the threat for Leeds, curling another effort at Lee's goal from the right.

The squad gather before extra time

He was the difference between the two sides and his quick-thinking run edged his side in front.

The wide man beat two Watford defenders to the ball and slotted the ball past the on-rushing Lee, who had come off his line.

With 100 minutes on the scoreboard, Lee was forced to pull off a terrific save as his fingers prevented Johnson's excellent snapshot from hitting the back of the net.

The second period of extra time brought little joy for the Hornets - Cleverley blasted wide from distance and Sordell and Henderson were well-marshalled by the home defence.

Malky Mackay instructs his troops before extra time

Defender Hodson was suffering during the later stages of the game but the highly rated youngster kept on going and stuck to the task of marking Snodgrass.

Lee saved well at the feet of Showunmi during the final stages but the 'Orns couldn't get the crucial goal, although Sordell hit a long range effort that went wide near the full time whistle.

LEEDS UNITED: Higgs; Crowe, Kisnorbo, Marques, Hughes; Snodgrass (Becchio 115), Howson (c), Doyle, Johnson; Beckford (Showunmi 79), Grella (Kilkenny 83). Subs: Ankergren, Prutton, Michalik, Robinson.

WATFORD: Lee; Hodson, Mariappa, Williamson (c), Doyley; Cleverley, Jenkins (Lansbury 63), Eustace, Cowie; Hoskins (Sordell 72), Graham (Henderson h/time). Subs: Loach (gk), Severin, Harley, Bryan.

BOOKINGS: LEEDS UNITED; Snodgrass (professional foul 107). WATFORD; Eustace (professional foul 65), Doyley (professional foul 68), Mariappa (professional foul 120).

SENDINGS OFF: LEEDS UNITED; none. WATFORD; none.

SCORERS: LEEDS UNITED; Snodgrass (38, 98). WATFORD; Sordell (86).

REFEREE: Mr A R Hall.
ATTENDANCE: 14,681.