WATFORD came from a goal behind to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Boreham Wood FC this evening (Monday) - the night was topped off with the return to action of midfielder Gareth Williams.

The Scotsman came on with just over 20 minutes remaining - his first competitive football after a year out on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury.

The visitors took an early lead when a Chris Arthur deflected free kick spun in past Mart Poom. It marked a strong start by the Hoops but the 'Orns more than played their part too in an entertaining open affair throughout.

QPR lost defender Elliott Brathwaite after five minutes with a facial injury - and he was replaced by Josh Ford.

Watford came out on top in the 4-3 reverse fixture at Loftus Road earlier this season and the hosts recovered after the early set-back to gain all three points this time round too. The visitors had ex-Hornet Aaron Morgan amongst their ranks although the wide man didn't get a chance to step off the bench for the west Londoners. 

The Hornets became more confident as the game went on with winger Billy Gibson in fine form alongside Liam Henderson and Lewis Young in attack.

The Golden Boys equalised through a Henderson penalty after Gibson was dragged down in the area. QPR defender Joe Ostler brought Gibson down and received a yellow card for his troubles.

Just two minutes after equalising the hosts had a superb chance to go ahead but 'keeper David Rouse had a relatively easy save to make after Henderson controlled from a Lionel Ainsworth shot - but he could only produce a relatively weak shot.

Then before half time the Golden Boys took the lead thanks to Gibson. His quick feet in the penalty box had Rangers mesmerised and with a flash the ball was nestling in the back of the net.

Rangers lost another player through injury just before the break when Andreas Govas trudged from the field, his place being taken by Danny Maguire.

During the second half the Superhoops came out fighting and in Arthur, Angelo Balanta and Ben Hunt - they had three pacy players with quick feet and an eye for goal.

Balanta looked confident following his first team experience and was a handful after the break. Arthur also gave stand-in right back Ross Jenkins a tough time during the second period - although Jenkins was controlled throughout as he had to move to accommodate Aaron Beech's enforced substitution.

With more space on offer after the break, Ainsworth saw more of the ball and started to stretch the QPR defence.

Williams made his return with just over 20 left and he played a deep role, sitting in front of the back four which allowed Douglas Rinaldi and substitute Santiago Aloi further freedom to roam forward.

Rinaldi drove a shot wide of Rouse's post before the final whistle while QPR sub Danny Maguire also slipped a shot clear of Poom's woodwork.

For all their quick breaks the visitors couldn't get past Lloyd Doyley and his colleagues in the Watford defence as the second string registered their first win since early February.   

WATFORD: Poom; Doyley, Hodson, Beech (Clarke 54), Avinel; Jenkins, Ainsworth, Rinaldi, Gibson; L Henderson (Williams 68), L Young (Aloi 68). Subs not used: Antal (gk), Sordell.

QPR: Rouse; Ugo Udoji, Kesanmi (Brown 78), Ostler, Brathwaite (Ford 5); O'Brien, Rose, Govas (Maguire 45+2), Arthur; Hunt, Balanta. Subs not used: Smith, Morgan.

SCORERS: WATFORD; Henderson (26), Gibson (38). QPR; Arthur (3). 

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Avinel (24), QPR; Ostler (26).

REFEREE: Mr I J Cooper.

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