A STRIKE from substitute Darius Henderson in stoppage time gave the Hornets all three points in dramatic fashion at Vicarage Road.

The super sub was introduced to the crowd on 65 minutes and his two strikes firstly evened the scores and then stole three vital points right at the death.

Henderson started on the bench as record signing Nathan Ellington was handed his first start for the Golden Boys. It was Henderson, who recently signed a new contract at the Vic, who reacted quickest in the box and slammed the ball home from six yards to win the game with the final whistle looming.   

New loan signing Adam Johnson was named amongst the substitutes and he appeared in the second half in front of the television cameras at Vicarage Road. Southampton came to town with an abundance of talent on the field, despite having to sell some of their crown jewels over the last year. Their bench looked strong with Marek Saganowski, Jason Euell and Bradley Wright-Philips all offering further forward options.  

The opening stages saw both teams attacking but with neither goalkeeper really called into action to make a save. Lloyd Doyley's long throw to Dan Shittu meant an early catch for Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis - while at the other end link up play between Nathan Dyer and Grzegorz Rasiak was neat and tidy by no one was in the middle to finish the move off.

Jobi McAnuff was another player early on to try his luck with a low shot from the edge of the box although it failed to test Davis.

The signs however were good for the developing striking relationship between Ellington and Marlon King. Both were finding each other with a series of flicks and passes. The Duke's flick on to King early on showed glimpse of what the pair have no doubt been working on in training. King got sight of goal but saw his early shot blocked. 

The Duke... Ellington in action on full debut

Youssef Safri's free kick down by the East Stand brought a finger tip save on to the post from Mart Poom after Dan Shittu's head connected with the ball in the crowded penalty area. It was a rare chance early on for the Saints but showed why they are so dangerous going forward and in and around the 18 yard box.

Poom again had to be alert after Rasiak managed to somehow get a boot to the ball following a battle with Shittu, Rasiak's flick on was plucked out of the air but the fit again Estonian.

The new striking pair linked up again for the Hornets in the 19th minute when King set Ellington free and the ex-West Brom man powered in a shot that was saved by Davis. The onslaught continued when Tommy Smith saw his shot blocked and then Lee Williamson immediately drilled the loose ball towards goal and Davis saved well to his right hand side. It was the Hornets' best spell of pressure but the opening break continued to evade them.

Smith shoots... man-of-the-match contender Tommy in action

Southampton started to come back as the half progressed with the Hornets frustrated in front of goal. The passes were neat as always and Dyer cut inside from the right and directed a stinging shot towards goal that went cannoning off his own player. Dyer had switched positions with fellow midfield man Andrew Surman and this proved to be working well for George Burley's side.

Against the run of play the Golden Boys took the lead with four minutes of the first half remaining. Davis punched at the ball in the box and it fell to the feet of Smith, he managed to stay upright under a strong challenge and went to the by-line and crossed to the far post where Shittu headed home just in front of Ellington.

Flying high... Shittu beats Ellington to open the scoring

The goal was deserved for the chances the Hornets had created but had come when the visitors were starting to get the upper hand in the game. Stern John was a nuisance during the first half and was keeping Shittu and Jay DeMerit busy.

The King and I... Shittu celebrates with his mate Marlon

On the stroke of half time Southampton made their pressure count with Rasiak finishing off a tidy passing move as he glided into the area and slid a low shot to the side of the on-rushing Poom. The warning signs had been there for a while for the Golden Boys and they were punished with seconds remaining of the half. 

Half time: Watford 1- 1 Southampton

The Golden Boys were back out two minutes before the visitors after a quick team talk by Boothroyd and his staff. Perhaps the boss had some harsh words to say to his men as they reappeared looking lively and wanting to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

In the second minute of the half King out-muscled Chris Makin and found himself one-on-one with Davis in front of the Rookery. He shot early but saw his effort well saved by the ever-busy keeper. Then it was the turn of King's strike partner as the Duke continued his pursuit of his first goal for the Golden Boys.

He latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and struck it powerfully towards goal, but again Davis was alert and parried it out for a corner kick. Jordan Stewart curled a deep cross in for the corner and Ellington found space at the back post but could only head wide. 

The pressure continued from the home side with Ellington again launching a fierce shot from outside the box which stung the thighs of a Southampton defender and went flying out for a corner. Davis was called into action from the kick and had to punch to clear the danger.

The referee was playing an increasingly big part in the game as his decisions continued to frustrate the home team and crowd. Lee Williamson was the first player to go in his book in the 58th minute and in the same minute Johnson came off the bench to make his first appearance since arriving from Boro.

Debut delight... Johnson joins a winning Watford side

Southampton took the lead after 68 minutes when livewire Dyer curled a shot round Poom from the edge of the box much to the delight of the traveling supporters behind the goal in the Vicarage Road end. The Saints hadn't had many opportunities since the break but their strong attacking line-up was a danger and Wright-Philips had given them further width after coming off the bench.

Henderson came off the bench for Boothroyd's men in place of Ellington to add some extra height to the attack. It was a direct approach which the Hornets started to take but they found the Saints defenders to be strong in the air. Winger Johnson got the crowd on their feet with an exhilarating run towards the Rookery end but he couldn't find the right final ball with Smith in acres of space on the right.

The Golden Boys finally got their reward for their efforts in the 80th minute when super sub Henderson coolly finished Doyley's pinpoint cross in to the box. Doyley deserves huge credit for the way he glided into the box and sent in such a great cross.

Adrian Mariappa was introduced a minute later and as he did for the reserves at Wycombe last Tuesday, the Academy graduate slotted into a central midfield position alongside captain Gavin Mahon.

With the game looking to be heading for a draw Henderson was quickest in the box to win the game for the Hornets though and send the noisy home crowd home happy. 

WATFORD (4-4-2): Poom; Doyley, Stewart, Shittu, DeMerit; Mahon, Williamson (Mariappa 81), McAnuff (Johnson 58), Smith; King, Ellington (Henderson 65). Subs not used: Lee (gk), Priskin.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): Davis; Vignal, Wright, Thomas, Makin; Viafara, Surman (Ostlund 87), Dyer, Safri; John (Euell 45) Rasiak (Wright-Philips 62). Subs not used: Bialkowski (gk), Saganowski.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Williamson (58), Smith (70), Henderson (92). SOUTHAMPTON; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. SOUTHAMPTON; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Shittu (41), (Henderson 80 +91). SOUTHAMPTON; Rasiak (45), Dyer (68).

REFEREE: G.Salisbury.

ATTENDANCE: 15, 915 (1, 231 Southampton supporters).