Hornets climb but miss opportunity

12 April 2012

Watford moved off the bottom of the Premiership for the first time since early December, but the 2-2 draw with Charlton effectively pushes both sides nearer to the drop.

First-half strikes from Hameur Bouazza and Damien Francis were not enough for Adrian Boothroyd's side to record only their fourth top-flight victory of the season.

Charlton, presumably having received a half-time ear-bashing from manager Alan Pardew, were greatly improved after the break and salvaged a point through Darren Ambrose's 89th-minute header after Luke Young had pulled one back midway through the second half.

Watford dominated the first half and Tamas Priskin ought to have put them ahead in the 15th minute when Talal El Karkouri's tumble left him clean through on goal, but he fired straight at Scott Carson.

Priskin responded with a cross for Damien Francis and although Carson parried his header, Bouazza was on hand to lash the rebound home.

Worse was to come for Pardew's side six minutes later when Francis found the net from Smith's pass. It was just too far in front of Priskin but ideal for his team-mate, who arrived at the back post to drive the ball past Carson.

When Darren Bent headed on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was through, but he delayed, allowing Jay DeMerit to rob him.

Hasselbaink, who also fired a long ranger way over the top, was replaced at the break by Zheng Zhi.

Charlton looked more purposeful in the second half with Matt Holland firing just wide and then blazing over with only Richard Lee to beat.

A minute later on-loan Arsenal midfielder Alexandre Song found Young, who gave Lee no chance with a low drive across the goalkeeper. Then Ambrose, with a minute remaining, headed home a cross from substitute Dennis Rommedahl to claim an equaliser and a vital point.

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