THE original 'game of two halves' ended up going the way of League 1 new boys Notts County at Vicarage Road this evening.

The Hornets will wonder just how they didn't score in a first half littered with chance after chance. However the second half was a different story. Ben Davies curled home a decent free-kick just two minutes in and it settled County's nerves.

Notts then enjoyed the best of the rest of the game, going two up on 66 minutes when Kevin Smith headed home Davies' fine cross.

Troy Deeney notched his first for the Golden Boys to give Watford hope with 11 minutes left, but there was to be no equaliser. And worryingly, moments from time, sub Danny Graham had to be replaced after tweaking his groin.

Manager Malky Mackay made five changes for tonight - a mixture of rested players and bumps and bruises from the weekend's trip to Hull - with second-year Academy scholar Adam Thompson making his full debut.

Also into the starting line-up came Rene Gilmartin in goal, Dale Bennett at centre-half, Ross Jenkins into midfield and Troy Deeney up front.

The changes gave an even younger than usual lok to the home team's line-up. And, before the interval, it looked as this youthful vibrancy would carry the Hornets into Carling Cup Round Three.

There weren't even 10 minutes gone before Watford had carved out four clear-cut openings.

As soon as the third minute a neat passing move ended with Don Cowie sweeping narrowly over. Then Marvin Sordell thumped a diving header against the near post from Cowie's cross, and watched as Stephen McGinn's follow-up header fell into the grateful arms of County keeper Stuart Nelson.

And it was Nelson extended much further soon after, with Will Buckley's shot destined for the top corner. The former Brentford keeper tipped over acrobatically for what proved to be the save of the night.

The fourth and fifth sights of goal came with eight minutes gone. Marvin Sordell's shot on the turn was blocked behind, then skipper Aidy Mariappa diverted Buckley's corner wide with debutant Thompson ready to pounce just behind him.

A rare County foray forward had Troy Deeney scooping clear after a deflected Davies free-kick bounced awkwardly out of the palms of Gilmartin.

Sordell then danced round the outrushing Nelson but County captain John Thompson read the danger and slid in to make a crucial interception from behind the young Watford striker.

Gilmartin had to beat down a Davies shot on the 25-minute mark. The chance came about when Notts hitman Jake Jervis was released by a flick-header. He found the ex-Shrewsbury wide man with a neat set-up but Davies' shot was too near the Hornets' Irish goalie.

Watford were lining up yet another sight of goal almost immediately - and it was Academy product Sordell who was again the man in the right place at the right time. His shot on the turn skewed marginally wide of the far post.

Bringing a somehow goalless first 45 minutes to a conclusion, the linesman saved Buckley's blushes by flagging Deeney off-side as the forward headed back across goal for the winger who headed wide from only six yards out.

You fear a sucker punch after such an utterly dominant spell and the visitors didn't disappoint. A foul 25 yards from goal gave Davies the chance to show his dead-ball ability - and he did to devastating effect with a low curler out of the reach of Gilmartin and into the bottom corner.

Naturally, the goal gave Craig Short's confidence to retain possession far better than they'd been able - or indeed allowed - to do before the break.

With impressive backing from the Vicarage Road faithful, who renewed their efforts after the County goal, Watford's energy levels never really sagged even though their earlier dominance had been replaced with a far more even contest.

Deeney headed onto the top of the net, leaning back to meet a 62nd-minute Don Cowie free-kick from the side of the box.

But what proved a killer second goal for Notts lurked just around the corner. A 66th-minute second for the League 1 team was converted by striker Kevin Smith with his head from six yards.

And, in truth, he couldn't miss. Davies, who'd found the ball at his feet after Jervis and Bennett had tangled, picked him out with an inch-perfect centre.

The Golden Boys threw themselves a life-line 11 minutes from time when sub Graham retrieved an overhit corner to cross for Deeney to head home his first of the season.

Jon Harley entered the fray to a warm hand from the home crowd, and there were one or two yellow cards for time-wasting for Notts players, understandably trying to run down the clock for a cup surprise.

The night ended on a sour note for Watford, not only in defeat, but also with a suspected groin strain for Graham who missed his kick late on. 

Hornets: Gilmartin; Thompson (Oshodi 79), Mariappa (c), Bennett, Doyley; McGinn, Cowie, Jenkins, Buckley (Graham 74 (Bryan 90)); Sordell, Deeney. Subs not used: Loach (GK), Henderson, Mingoia, Whichelow.

Magpies: Nelson; Thompson (c), Chilvers, Pearce, Hunt; Davies, Bishop, Ravenhill, Hubbins (Westcarr 60); Jervis (Harley 83), Smith (Lee 89). Subs not used: Grof (GK), Edwards, Burgess, O'Connell.

Ref: Phil Crossley. Att: 6,434 (249 'Pies fans).

Yellow cards: Ravenhill (42), Bishop (81), Davies (85), Jenkins (86).