Watford 1 v Charlton Athletic 1

A point at Watford would have looked like a good result two months ago. This evening it was acceptable but ultimately frustrating when three points were clearly on offer had we been able to take any of the chances created prior to Watford going ahead on the hour. The Hornets had only taken one point at home from the previous five games, so the signs were favourable.

In the first half, Chris Iwelumo might have scored when he got on the end of a good move which saw a penetrating cross played in to him, but he lashed his volley and it flew high over the bar. Lloyd Sam could have scored when put through but he missed the target once again. Darren Amrose should have gone one better but he fired wide on one occasion and also straight at the Keeper on another. Watford had a few chances too and Henderson headed the best wide early on.

At half time I was screaming for a change. Ambrose had been booked and I would have been tempted to withdraw him for failing to do better with his chnaces in the first half. However, Zheng Zhi had hardly touched the ball and no-one would have noticed if he had gone off. Lloyd Sam too had not done enough and he could easily have been replaced. In fact no-one was changed and we persevered.

We continued to look the more likely to score but the Sky commentator had already mentioned that Ellington hadn't scored in 20 appearances for Watford so we knew what to expect. Watford had been finding plenty of space out wide and when running around the box; on 59 minutes Henderson picked a ball on the edge of the box and calmly played it across to Ellington who had been left in two yards of space and he simply had to roll the ball in to open his account and the scoring. Watford then looked capable of getting a second.

Andy Gray was introduced on 68 minutes and, in the circumstances, Iwelumo deserves credit for being professional about his sustitution. Ten minutes later Charlton equalised. Darren Ambrose worked the ball across the front of the Watford defence on the edge of the box, as he had done twice in the first half, but this time his shot was on target and Goalkeeper Lee made a howler as he went down for it.

We then had 12 minutes to go and every prospect of a winner but we didn't do enough. Chris Dickson came on for Lloyd Sam and very quickly had the best chance to wrap things up when he was put clear one-on-one against Lee but he failed to take his shot early enough or to get passed the advancing Keeper. Watford finished the game in the Charlton half and might have a snatched a winner themselves, although that would have been very harsh. All in all the game wasn't a great spectacle but it was raining heavily throughout. Both sides created chances but Charlton had more and the better ones at that. The finishing by both sides was poor, so Andy Gray will fancy his chances of getting off the mark during February.

The really bad news is that we are now behind Palace on goal difference after their win at home to Bristol City. Stoke City won too but West Brom could only scrape a draw at home to Cardiff. What that means is we now have to get the better of Stoke, Palace, Watford and Bristol City in the next five home games if we are to stay in contention for promotion.

The play-off final is 26th May, almost 10 years to the day from our last glorious appearance. A repeat showing looks our best hope for promotion.....