IT'S the life of a 'keeper to know that goal scorers will always take the plaudits for big wins, but if the truth be told at Southampton today then those that know, know that Richard Lee is the Hornets' real hero of the hour.

Two excellent penalty saves, at the feet of David McGoldrick and Paul Wotton respectively, stopped the Saints from taking the lead and then equalising as Watford eventually bagged a brilliant 3-0 win at St Mary's.

As praise-worthy as Lee was though, the clean-sheet star was quick to thank mentor and goalkeeping coach Alec Chamberlain for his vital advice ahead of the spot kicks.

Speaking about the penalty saves following the match, Lee said: "Thankfully Alec Chamberlain always briefs me before a game on penalty takers and where they go - it's not always the case, they sometimes change their mind, but it's nice to know their history of taking penalties.

"He debriefed me on three of their players today and two of them stepped up and thankfully we got our rewards for it."

Lee wouldn't confirm that Alec was leading the chants of 'off, off' from the bench as he faced a potential red card early on in the game - Chamberlain would have known he'd have to be involved on Tuesday night against Cardiff had the Hornets lost yet another 'keeper!

But joking aside Watford's home-grown star was a relieved man to stay in the field after he and Darren Ward contrived to bring down McGoldrick for the first of the two spot-kicks.

"My heart was in my mouth," admitted Lee, adding, "Other referees might have seen it differently. At the time I thought it should have been a booking and a free-kick, but he gave the penalty and had he sent me off it might have been a different game.

"It was one of those balls that is a nightmare for 'keepers and defenders, it was right between both of us and I knew I had make a decision. It was a case of either stay and see what happens or, in the end, try and come and get a block on it outside the area.

"Unfortunately he nicked it past me and he went down. Thankfully I stayed on the field because I had a couple of covering players."

Lee celebrates his spot-kick successes

Moving on to the second of the two outstanding saves, Lee admitted to having to do a little homework of his own before the fateful incident involving Saints' second taker Paul Wotton.

"I didn't know who it was at first and I felt a bit rude because I had to go up and look at his shirt to see who was taking it.

"A couple of lads said 'he smashes it' and I knew I would have to react and thankfully I got my foot on it and got it away. That's football; it's a game of inches."

At the end there was certainly no underestimating the three points that the Hornets bagged.

"It was a big day for us and we needed to get something away from home. To come to a place like Southampton and win like we did was great.

"You take the good days when they come and enjoy them. Thankfully it went our way today."

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