WATFORD were denied three home points as Glenn Roeder's Canaries struck back in the second half after a first half onslaught from the Golden Boys.

It was substitute Jamie Cureton who scored the equaliser with nine minutes remaining - the Hornets will count the cost of not taking more of their opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.

The visitors from Carrow Road were under siege from the moment the game kicked off at Vicarage Road but they weathered the storm and grew in confidence as an attacking outfit during the second half. Dan Shittu bagged the all important goal for the home side during the first half after a good delivery into the box.  

Boss Aidy Boothroyd was hoping it would be third time lucky for his troops as he named an unchanged side for the third consecutive game. Norwich came to town managed by ex-Watford boss Glenn Roeder. However it proved to be the fourth consecutive draw for the boys from the Vic.

Driving wind and rain hit the surface hard before the game kicked off and affected the conditions throughout this Championship affair. Midway during the first half snow even fell as the Hornets produced attack after attack at an beleaguered Norwich defence. 

Watford made their intentions clear from the outset and wasted no time in setting about the task in hand. Starting straight away they got the ball quickly forward and used their wide men and set pieces to full effect.

With just a minute on the clock Aidy Mariappa found Tommy Smith out wide on the right after a Leigh Bromby short free kick. The winger beat his man and got to the by-line, his draw back to Nathan Ellington on the penalty spot was inch perfect but the striker ballooned his shot over the bar.

The early pressure continued when Bromby's missile of a throw-in evaded Darius Henderson and Shittu in the box and bounced up on top of the netting - that just a minute later.

Early chances were falling to the Golden Boys, but they were unable to put them away. Ellington linked up with Jobi McAnuff with a clever one-two. As the striker raced into the box he found David Marshall coming off his line quickly and was unable to finish the neat move off.

Bromby soon delivered another long throw-in to the box that was crying out for someone to get their head on the end of it. Further pressure followed with a great corner kick from Smith and Andy Pearce had to be on top of his game to divert the ball behind with Henderson lurking behind him.

After 11 minutes the Golden Boys were rewarded for their blistering start when man-mountain Shittu got his head of a perfect delivery from Mat Sadler. It was all they deserved in truth as they had bombarded the Canaries with ball after ball since the game kicked off.

Shittu sets Watford on their way with a headed goal

The goal didn't seem to change the intentions of the home side though as the Hornets continued to close down quickly and stretch the Canaries - putting the wide men to full use. John Eustace struck a hard drive that sailed wide of Marshall's post after a quick ball back from John Joe O'Toole.

McAnuff continued his positive form during the first period, cutting in when he could and he delivered a low drive that skidded wide of Marshall's post. Shortly after he produced a stronger shot that stung the hands of the 'keeper and was palmed behind for a corner.  

Neat link up between Smith and Henderson drew the 'keeper off his line next, but McAnuff's ball back in couldn't find a yellow shirt.

The half had been dominated by the Golden Boys and the Canaries had offered little in terms of attacking moves. They grew in stature as the 45 went on but they unable to force Richard Lee into making any difficult saves. 

The Canaries had their best chance of the first half with four minutes remaining. Dion Dublin was found with a searching ball, but his speculative effort didn't put Lee in any danger. With the goalkeeper a few yards off his line he was trying to lob him but he didn't get the right sort of connection with the ball.

Following the re-start the Canaries looked lively and Lee Croft dinked in a lovely ball that the experienced Dublin got his head to. Unfortunately for the striker it landed wide of Lee's left hand post in the front of the Vicarage Road end.

Dublin had a better chance just a minute later when Shittu gave the ball away cheaply but his scuffed effort sailed into the seats behind Lee's goal.

Watford's first sight of goal in the second half came when Ellington was found from a free kick from wide right but his goal bound effort struck Dublin the face.

The game was opening up as Marshall threw the ball out quickly and Croft tested the hands of Lee in the Watford goal with a low shot down to his right.

A free kick for the Canaries had Lee scampering across his line but he got low down and was equal to what they could throw at him.

A series of Bromby long throws were soon launched into the Canaries' penalty box as the Hornets made some territory on their opposition. Shittu was in amongst the action but no one could get on the end of his flick on. Henderson was his usual self in the thick of the action and making a nuisance of himself in the box - but the Canaries looked stronger as the game went on and had attacking intentions of their own.

The Hornets displayed their strength of the break when Ellington fed Smith and he sped off down the right flank and floated a ball to Henderson at the far post. However the big man couldn't get his body the right side of the ball.

Smith sets about winning the ball for the Golden Boys

Jordan Stewart was introduced after 71 minutes and just moments later the Rookery were appealing for a penalty as Smith went tumbling in the box.

Four minutes later Collins John finally appeared for his debut for the Golden Boys and he took the place of the Duke and joined Henderson in attack.

Despite the fresh faces on the field for the Hornets it was a substitute for the Canaries who had the bigger impact.

Collins John gets to start his Watford career

Cureton found space and from 25 yards out he curled in his 11th strike of the season after a cross field ball from Croft.

Bizarrely the Hornets nearly equalised when Dublin nearly put past his own 'keeper - his goalward swipe forced Marshall into a fingertip save to earn the 'Orns a corner kick.

As four minutes of stoppage time was announced the Hornets brought men forward and pushed balls into the box but Roeder's men stood strong and it wasn't to be Watford's day.

The result means the Hornets are in second place behind league leader Bristol City, who came from behind to get a point at the Valley. Now the game at Ashton Gate next Tuesday between the sides is even more significant as the battle continues at the top of the league.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee (c); Mariappa, Bromby, Shittu, Sadler (Stewart 71); Smith, O'Toole, Eustace, McAnuff; Ellington (John 75), Henderson. Subs not used: Poom (gk), Williamson, DeMerit.

NORWICH CITY (4-4-2): Marshall; Pearce (Shackwell 60), Doherty, Velasco, Camara (Cureton 74); Fotheringham (c), Bertrand, Croft (Otsemobor 88), Pattison; Dublin, Evans. Subs not used: Gilks (gk), Gibbs.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Eustace (90+1 professional foul). NORWICH CITY; Velasco, (68 professional foul), Pattison (85 professional foul).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. NORWICH CITY; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Shittu (11). NORWICH CITY; Cureton (81).

REFEREE: K Stroud.

ATTENDANCE: 16,537.