THE character of the Watford team was shown again on Tuesday evening when the 'Orns held on for a point against Cardiff, after Tamas Priskin received his marching orders for a straight red card, which shifted the game in the favour of Cardiff City. 

By that time the Hornets had gained a two goal lead through goals from John-Joe O'Toole and Will Hoskins, but after they were reduced to ten men by referee Beeby, Watford had to face an hour of 'backs against the wall' football.

The Golden Boys' defence seemed to be coping and looked to have weathered the storm when another penalty was saved by Richard Lee, unbelievably his third stop from the spot in the space of four days.

The Cardiff onslaught continued however at Vicarage Road and lady luck was smiling on the Bluebirds for their first of the night.

A shot by the threatening Jay Bothroyd deflected off Tommy Smith and looped over Lee to halve the deficit. From then on, the momentum was back with Cardiff and three minutes later, Bothroyd popped up again to hammer home a volley and complete the comeback.

Smith was quick to praise the spirit in the camp which the boss has instilled again after an action packed start to the campaign.

The reigning Player of the Year said: "We have a lot of character and resilience in this side.  That is something that the manager installs in us, we will always have that."

Smith felt the penalty decision which went against him was harsh but having accepted his fate he watched as Lee came to the rescue from Ross McCormack's spot kick once again for the Golden Boys.

He added: "I thought I had got the ball but the ref thought differently and gave the penalty, but we are giving away too many penalties lately which we need to improve upon."

"I thought we had weathered the storm, but they scored at the wrong time and then scored again which meant the hard work of the team had been undone."

The second Cardiff strike was well worked with ex-Arsenal striker, Bothroyd, coming in at the back post to smash a volley past the impressive Lee. 

However, the Hornets found fresh impetus to attack as the Cardiff defence sat back. Smith was captain in the second half after Lee Williamson was substituted at half time and he nearly notched a dramatic winner after he produced a curling shot from a mazy run. 

The Hemel resident feels the last two results have showed what the 'Orns are capable of, impressive considering they were nowhere near their best on the south coast.

Wolves are up next at the Vic and they're likely to be a wounded animal after their heavy defeat at the hands of Norwich City.

Smith concluded: "All the games are tough, we will fancy ourselves here and it would be great to get something out of it.

"We have positives to take from Tuesday and we will build on that for Saturday."

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