Final away trip yields a deserved point for Hornets

WATFORD'S Premiership travels ended on a relative high. They gained a point and could have had more, but the ten-game losing away run was finally brought to an end and deservedly so.

Ask any Riverside regulars and they would probably dismiss this as a typical end-of-season exchange and the result of no real account. They might also concede that the loss of two extra points was typical of Bryan Robson's dysfunctional team, reflecting the nebulous nature of their campaign.

But such summaries would sell Watford short. True, the first half was one big yawn and even the Middlesbrough supporters must have been grateful for the colourful chanting and musical banter emanating from the Watford contingent.

The Hornets were doing enough in defence to blunt the opposition's talented individuals even if the visitors were unable to string coherent movements together when going forward.

It looked like a stalemate, which was brought to an unexpected end by David Perpetuini's gaffe that gifted Boro a goal.

While Graham Taylor said his side was lucky not to be further behind, apart from Day making a great save to Mustoe, who was some distance out, it is hard to recall a worthwhile chance or attempt from Boro in the first half.

They promised much, but that lack of blend came through and was to be exploited by a resurgent Watford after the interval. If anything, although the Hornets 'won' the second half, Middlesbrough had some good chances after the interval, certainly better than in the previous 45 minutes. Ricard hit the post, Juninho fired over when looking certain to score - which sparked a rare outbreak of Riverside chanting - and Day had to make a couple of saves.

But the introduction of Mooney and Wooter tilted the game Watford's way and, although Schwarzer made a fine spreading save to deny him, one suspects Helguson would have buried the chance earlier in the season. The Icelander has followed his Norwegian campaign by the more arduous English season and looks like a man who is fast tiring, yet shows enough to suggest that, revitalised, he could be Watford's man for more seasons.

Wooter, given a free role, had more impact on the second half than did Juninho and he too, if so disposed, could be very influential in the First Division. Some find him frustrating and I see the point, but there is always a promise with the Dutchman that something might happen. Against lesser defenders, that promise might be realised more often.

Mooney looked sharper than in his previous outings in his comeback, Palmer again played a tireless role in the middle and Hyde performed well for a man who has spent each of the last four seasons, appearing in different divisions.

One of the intriguing clashes was between Ricard and the young Ward. The centre half capped his display with his first Premiership goal, earning Watford their first away point since November.

It was no more than Watford deserved for they maintained a professional attitude throughout, made a spirited comeback and when Middlesbrough tried to bounce back from the equaliser, their lack of cohesive play became increasingly apparent. Instead, it was Watford who countered fluidly and both Wooter and Mooney, neither fully match-fit, gave them the edge.

One was left to muse on the long haul home what might have been, had injuries not played such a major part in blunting Watford's bid for survival.

Thirteen points from survival is a big gap, but it may well have been narrower if they had managed to turn a few more defeats into draws. Then again, they failed to turn Saturday's draw into a victory, despite having the opportunities to do so.

That is the other side of Watford's conundrum.

The first half was a yawn. Middlesbrough enjoyed the greater possession and Watford's defence worked hard and successfully for all but one moment of the 45. However, when looking to go forward, the visitors were unable to seriously trouble the Boro' defence.

Juninho at one end and Hyde at the other curled free kicks just over the bar and after Watford conceded the goal in the 28th minute, Day made a superb save, tipping wide when Mustoe unleashed a full-blooded shot.

Watford were unable to trouble the home keeper. Smith had a shot on the turn, which was mis-hit and bounced tamely to the keeper who later collected a similar effort from Foley, who was better positioned to make it count.

Ricard, after evading two defenders sent a low shot between Day's legs and against the outside of the post and Day had to make successive blocking saves in the next attack. Then Juninho fired over with only the keeper to beat, but a Watford attack resulted in reasonable appeals for a penalty when an arm was raised to knock the ball away in the Middlesbrough box, following a Mooney cross.

After they had equalised, Watford capitalised on an error on the right and Smith centred for Helguson to climb and head at the keeper.

Helguson then rapped another clear-cut chance against the spreading keeper when Wooter's run created the opportunity in a fine Watford move.

Hyde was almost in with a chance during injury-time but he had to stretch as the challenge came in and the keeper collected the shot.