WATFORD Ladies played host to Doncaster Rovers Belles in a dress-rehearsal for their forthcoming League Cup Quarter Final tie on Sunday (19 October), in a game which ended all-square and left both managers equally frustrated.

No doubt the Belles' management team will have been disappointed only to take one point from the game having led twice and with Watford's second equaliser coming in the dying moments of the game, but equally Sian Williams will be wondering where the confidence and composure was following two wins on the bounce.

The game started slowly and meandered along, almost like an end-of-season affair, until defensive lapses allowed the unmarked Liz Hansen to score.

The Canadian forward mishit a left foot shot which wrong-footed Marie Hourihan and settled in the corner of the net. This appeared to energise Belles but Watford looked edgy and lacking in confidence struggling to create any worthwhile chances.

Despite their energy and foraging Belles didn't look like adding to their tally before the break. An enforced change brought Emma Thomas into the fray and she tried to prompt Watford into action, probing from central midfield.

The second half started like the last ten minutes of a do-or-die cup tie with both teams appearing to be seeking the all-important goal. Belles lost some of their defensive composure and a misplaced back-pass allowed Helen Lander the chance to equalise - initially the visiting 'keeper did brilliantly to stop Lander's first effort before she converted the rebound.

Lander had a chance to put the home side ahead but her volley from Thomas's through pass was saved brilliantly by the Belles' stopper. With just over 15 minutes to go Belles regained the lead through Precious Hamilton when a long punt forward seemed destined for the arms of Marie Hourihan but the bounce deceived her and went over her head allowing Hamilton to roll the ball into the unguarded goal.

Rachel Williams missed with a header which would have put Belles out-of-sight before Watford equalised in the final moments. Panic appeared to set in around the Belles box allowing Lander a shot at goal which again the visiting 'keeper did brilliantly to save, but again suffered frustration as substitute Jodian Clarke was on-hand to slot between three defenders on the line.

So honours even but both sets of coaching staff will be working hard on the training ground to eradicate the problems. The visiting 'keeper did brilliantly on a small number of occasions and deserved some luck she didn't get.

Hourihan deserved better having been a rock for Watford in recent weeks - and Lander deserves praise for yet another unstinting effort to chase lost causes and seek out scraps - as a captain she leads by example in terms of effort and commitment.

The bad habits re-surfaced with passing going astray and ball-retention poor. Next week sees a trip to Forest Ladies who currently sit bottom of the table before the Watford - Belles saga continues with the cup Quarter Final tie in Doncaster the week after.

LET WATFORD BE THE PERFECT HOST