TWO late goals for Coventry City saw the visitors grab a share of the points at Vicarage Road as Malky Mackay's side were pegged back by former boss Aidy Boothroyd and his Coventry City side.

It was all looking good for the Hornets as they took a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Will Buckley and captain John Eustace.

They were good value for the lead too and certainly deserved to be in front.

But the Sky Blues turned the game around in the final two minutes of normal time and they then grabbed their priceless equaliser in the seven minutes of injury that was played.

Buckley opened the scoring with his first of the season after an excellent delivery from Lee Hodson and captain Eustace capped off another memorable performance with a superb strike in front of the Rookery.

The Sky Blues stormed back though and the game turned on its head as the points were eventually shared. The equaliser came from a spot kick in time added on.

Scott Loach returned between the sticks after Rene Gilmartin deputised in the Carling Cup midweek win over Aldershot.

Danny Graham in action at a wet Vicarage Road

The stopper also picked up a knock in that game so Wales Under-21 international Jonathan Bond was on the bench.

Otherwise it was the same team for the 'Orns after they had performed so well over the last two games.

Striker Troy Deeney, who joined from Walsall eight days ago, was also on the bench once more.

Former boss Boothroyd was in the visiting dug-out for the 'Orns as the Hornets welcomed the Sky Blues.

Goalkeeper Iain Turner started in goal for the visitors after signing in an emergency loan deal from Everton.

The experienced Lee Carsley was captain for the Midlands outfit, while the starting XI also contained Gary McSheffrey who has Premier League experience with Birmingham.  

There been heavy rain in the build-up to kick-off and the rain was lashing down on the drenched Vicarage Road pitch.

The home side certainly started the stronger as they took the game to the City.

Will Buckley opens the scoring

Don Cowie's corner caused mayhem in the away penalty area on eight minutes as he whipped a ball in that went straight across the six yard box and somehow evaded every player in the danger zone.

The Golden Boys used their pace in attack to great effect as they tested the Sky Blues a minute later.

Captain Eustace clipped a ball down the right flank into the path of Marvin Sordell.

The youngster looked as though he had the beating of the defender, he did just that and got past him and knocked the ball back into the path of Buckey, who sent a shot straight at goal but it was blocked by a covering home defender.

On 12 minutes Buckley's influence on the game was growing as he used his pace and quick feet to get under the skins of the visitors.

A melee soon followed in City's penalty area as Watford continued to dominate the opening proceedings.

Goalkeeper Iain Turner bravely dived at the feet of Graham and as the ball fell loose on the edge of the box Stephen McGinn lashed a shot but it couldn't find its way through the crowded penalty area.

Buckley gets to the ball first

As the ball was moved forward by The Sky Blues, Hornets striker Danny Graham was waving frantically for play to be abandoned as debutant Turner looked in a bad way on the floor of the six yard box.

The 'keeper received treatment for a few minutes and it then became apparent he couldn't carry on.

Another debutant, 18-year-old Michael Quirke stepped off the bench to take his place between the sticks.

On 22 minutes McGinn, who is growing into his midfield role more and more every week, smashed a low effort wide of the 'keeper's post.

Coventry were still trying to get into their rhythm and Loach had been largely untested by the visiting team.

On 31 minutes the 'Orns surged forward with an excellent move.

Sordell won the flick on and Graham swept the ball out to Cowie on the right but the Hornets were unable to progress.

Graham was heavily involved then in the next move he drifted out to the right flank and placed a superb ball into the centre for Sordell.

The Golden Boys celebrate with Harry the Hornet

The youngster had drifted off his marker and his flicked effort was brilliantly turned away from goal by Quirke.

Watford's defence was standing strong to the threat from the Sky Blues but there was a few nervy moments when longer balls were pumped into the home penalty box.

Adrian Mariappa came to the rescue on 37 minutes as he thumped the ball into the stands as his centre half partner Martin Taylor found himself under pressure from Freddy Eastwood.

Lee Hodson unknowingly set up an attack four minutes before the break as he thumped a clearance from the Watford 18 yard box that launched a fast attack. Graham was chasing the ball but he couldn't quite get in before a covering defender nodded back to the young 'keeper.

Four minutes of time was added on at the end of the first half, mainly due to the injury to the visiting goalkeeper.

Watford took the lead in time added on as Buckley opened his account for the season.

The ball again came in from the right as Hodson sent a fantastic deep ball in to the far post.

Buckley had peeled away from his marker and did enough to get the ball across the line at the Vicarage Road end.

The Golden Boys had another chance before the interval as McGinn again tried his luck from distance, but his shot zipped past Quirke's right hand post.

Coventry came out and put the home side under pressure as they tried to force their way back into the game.

But for their effort they were unable to even really trouble Loach in the Watford net.

The Golden Boys continued to look dangerous and they added a second just before the hour mark.

Eustace was the man who can take all the glory and credit for a fantastic strike in front of the Rookery Stand.

Eustace celebrates after hitting a superb second goal for the 'Orns

The former Coventry midfielder hit a sweet overhead shot after the ball dropped to him on the edge of the penalty box, it looped over Quirke and nestled in the net.

It was an outrageous attempt that could have ended up in row Z on another day but his technique to produce the shot was fantastic as he managed to make the perfect connection with his back to goal.

That strike brought the house down as the crowd went wild to celebrate his second of the season.

Referee Trevor Kettle was forced off shortly after with an injury so fourth official Mr Stewart took charge of proceedings.

Troy Deeney with City captain Lee Carsley

Aside from the goal it was a quieter second period up until 88 minutes but the Sky Blues showed their intent to fight all the way to the end as they brought on giant striker Clive Platt, who Boothroyd had signed from his former club Colchester United.

As Coventry pushed and pushed for a goal towards the end the gaps started to appear for the Hornets and they took advantage with their delightful attacking moves.

Deeny was introduced in the closing stages as was new loan Jordon Mutch, who took up a position in midfield.

New loan signing Jordon Mutch

Lloyd Doyley was involved in some pleasing moves down the left flank as he linked up well with McGinn and Graham amongst others.

Bell grabbed late a great goal back for the visitors to ensure the Hornets had a nervy few minutes.

That was made worse as seven minutes of stoppage time was announced and the Golden Boys then conceded a penalty as Doyley was adjudged to have pushed Andy Keogh in the area.

Lukas Jutkiewicz took the resulting kick and netted, Loach had dived the right way but couldn't keep it out.

It was a real sucker-punch for the 'Orns as the Sky Blues had turned the game around in a matter of minutes and it was the travelling supporters who were cheering the loudest at the end of a game high on drama in WD18.   

WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley; McGinn, Eustace (c), Buckley (Mutch 77), Cowie; Graham, Sordell (Deeney 77). Subs not used: Jenkins, Bryan, Bennett, Henderson, Bond (gk).

COVENTRY CITY: I Turner (Quirke 18); Keogh, Turner, Cameron, Cranie; Bell, Carsley (c), Doyle, McSheffrey (Gunnarsson 64); Eastwood (Platt 64), Jutkiewicz. Subs not used: McPake, Quirke, Baker, Wood, Clingan.

SCORERS: WATFORD; Buckley (40+3), Eustace (59). COVENTRY CITY; Bell (89), Jutkiewicz (90+1).

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Eustace (90). COVENTRY CITY; none.

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

REFEREE: T M Kettle.

ATTENDANCE: 12,813 (1,480 Sky Blues).