FOLLOWING a difficult and hard fought draw with one of their promotions rivals, boss Aidy Boothroyd felt it was a well earned point to take back to Vicarage Road and with a game in hand he wasn't too disappointed.

The manager would have of course liked all three but with so much at stake, Bristol City and the Hornets cancelled each other out and in the end the referee blew time with the scores at 0-0.

Backed by 1,700 travelling supporters, the Golden Boys had to fight against driving rain and strong winds in the west country as well as a partisan home crowd.

Boothroyd said: "I would have preferred three points, but that's ten unbeaten now and another clean sheet so that's a positive.

"The negatives tonight are that we didn't really function as well as we can but to come here and to gain a point with a game in hand I think is a good result to be honest.

"There was a swirling wind, that kept changing but it was the same for them. These are the games you enjoy. I can't remember a game like this since the Palace one. It was blood and thunder and two very committed teams wanting to win a Championship."

Watford's best scoring opportunity came when wing man Tommy Smith was upended in the box and referee Andy Marriner pointed to the spot,  much to the annoyance of the home crowd.

Up stepped Darius Henderson, a blood and guts type of player, but the 12-goal striker saw his spot kicked saved by Brazilian Adrian Basso.

However - the Hornets win, lose and draw as a team and the gaffer knows the importance of the blonde forward.

"He's changed his mind and it's vital that you don't do that. I think that's the first one he's ever missed in his career and he's disappointed now in the changing room.

"We don't blame him for that - he's won us many matches and saved us many games and he's a terrific player."

The men in charge of football often get an ear bashing from managers and crowds, although Watford's manager was impressed with the way the referee handled the affair.

Shortly after the spot kick, Henderson was booked for a high, lunging challenge on Lee Johnson, and the City midfielder was substituted due to injury. It was a tackle that could have sparked the top-of-the-table affair to get out of control but Marriner kept the players and benches under control.

The Yorkshire man commented: "I've got to say that I thought the referee did very well tonight, that's the third time we've had Andy Marriner and I thought he did really well.

"It's difficult for a referee when two teams are committed as we were - I didn't think it was a red, the ball was bouncing and he's tried to get a toe end but unfortunately he's caught the player. Simple as that."

"We've had a nice ding-dong tonight and it was good entertainment. I'm pleased with what we did tonight, we've got that game in hand and it will be a good one if we can win it."

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