A thrilling Championship encounter at Vicarage Road finished 2-2 as Colchester United defied their league position and more than played their part in an end-to-end clash.

Despite taking an early lead, the Hornets were rocked by the U's as they equalised within 20 minutes and then took the lead immediately after the re-start.

Marlon King missed a second half penalty, but found his scoring boots within two minutes and equalised to salvage a point for the home side.

The Golden Boys went for the winner, but were unable to find a way past a resilient Colchester side. Both sides hit the woodwork after the break as chances went begging at either end.

Boss Aidy Boothroyd stuck with the same starting 11 who bounced back at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.

It was an end-to-end first half with Watford having more chances and possession, but the U's looked dangerous on the attack with a big, strong striking partnership of Clive Platt and Kevin Lisbie keeping the Golden Boys on their toes at the back.

The 'Orns couldn't have asked for a better start as the on-loan Adam Johnson continued his rich vein of form with a strike after just two minutes. The England under 21 winger received the ball short from a corner and made the most of the gap at the near post as he drilled in a shot past Dean Gerken.

Johnson was clearly in the mood to try his luck at every opportunity and four minutes later he ran with the ball and hit a powerful shot that was held by Gerken in goal for the U's.

Lloyd Doyley also wanted to get in on the action at the Vicarage Road end, but as cheers of 'shoot' were ringing around the Vic, his effort flew up over Gerken's crossbar. Nevertheless it was an early indication of the Golden Boys looking to push forward whenever they could.

The pressure continued in the 12th minute as Gerken came out of his goal to punch a free kick, which went high into the Colchester box - the 'keeper took one of his own men out in the process and handed the Golden Boys another corner kick.

Geraint Williams' side looked dangerous when they did attack though and Doyley had to be alert to head behind for a corner kick after a deep cross into the box. The corner kicks continued as Kevin Watson's blasted effort was turned behind for another corner kick.

The visitors grabbed an equaliser on 19 minutes after Kem Izzet put in a delightful deep cross into the box, Platt rose highest to head against the woodwork and the big striker followed up to power home past the outstretched Richard Lee.

Despite the setback, the Hornets responded in the right fashion and continued attacks on Gerken's goal. Full back Jordan Stewart found himself in unfamiliar territory on the outside of the box and his volley ended half way up the stand.

Then Johnson's effort was blocked after Gavin Mahon hooked the ball back across the area after the captain broke into the Colchester box.

At the other end the U's, although having less possession, clearly had a dangerous partnership with Lisbie and Platt, the two nearly linked up after Platt's downward header but his strike partner couldn't quite get on the end of the knock down.

Darius Henderson was proving a handful in the area and the Doncaster-born striker saw his header sail over the bar after an excellent Smith run down the right flank.

Wave after wave of attack continued as Boothroyd's troops looked to go in at the break with a one goal cushion. Tommy Smith was the next player to try his luck after his shot was saved with one hand.

A sweeping move saw King quickly break down the left and feed his strike-partner Henderson, he found Smith in space and after attacking his man saw his drilled shot saved by Gerken.

Just before two minutes of added time was announced, Lee had to be quick off his line with Lisbie rushing towards goal and the U's continued their pressure until the referee blew time on the first half.

Colchester came storming out of the blocks, just as the Hornets had done at the start of the game and went ahead within the first minute.

This time it was Platt's strike partner who put the ball over the line. Ex-Charlton man Lisbie finished inside the box after build-up play involving Kevin Watson and midfield man Izzet.

Izzet was the man to create the chance with a neat ball into the box and Lisbie fired home past Lee into the bottom corner.

The Golden Boys had been shocked by the early strike, but had to come back. They did just that in fits and starts as the U's defended soundly and still posed a threat at the other end.

Lee Williamson was dragged down by Izzet as he tried to latch onto a neat back-heal from Stewart down the left flank. Izzet was booked for his troubles and King's powerful thunderbolt of a free kick went just over Gerken's upright.

The Golden Boys had the ideal opportunity to draw level on 61 minutes from the penalty spot but the King of Vicarage Road was denied. King stepped up and sent a low shot to the Gerken's left but the U's man reacted quickly and saved low down.

The referee awarded the penalty after Johnson was brought down in the area after bursting through - Granville and Mark Yeates sandwiched the Boro loanee and the man in black immediately pointed to the spot.

Despite the setback, the Hornets came back again and within two minutes they were level. King made up for his earlier miss with an acrobatic effort which sailed into the top corner. Williamson's effort was blocked in the crowded area and King leaped onto the rebound with an overhead kick that sent the Vic into hysteria.

The goalmouth action continued at a rate of knots with chances for both sides and two chances involved the woodwork. Firstly Williamson headed onto the bar after a run into the box and then Yeates' free kick was tipped onto the bar by the out-stretched Lee.

With 74 minutes on the clock the Golden Boys broke down the left, Johnson fed Henderson who lined up full back Stewarrt and his shot went over the bar.

Lisbie continued to give the Watford back four a run for their money and after escaping the attentions of Aidy Mariappa dragged a shot across the face of goal.

At the other end Henderson couldn't finish off his wriggly run with a goal as his poked effort was blocked by the back-tracking Colchester defence.

After Nathan Ellington had been sent on with six minutes remaining, King and Henderson teamed up inside the box but Henderson's quick fire shot was saved by Gerken.

The second half provided great entertainment with chances at either end but as Watford camped in the Colchester half the referee brought an end to the half after three minutes of injury time.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley, Shittu, Mariappa, Stewart (Ellington 84); Johnson, Mahon (c), Williamson, T Smith; King, Henderson. Subs not used: Poom (gk), O'Toole, Priskin, Jackson.

COLCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): Gerken; Duguid (c), Connolly, Baldwin, Granville; Yeates, Watson (McLeod 84), Izzet, Jackson; Platt, Lisbie. Subs not used: Cousins (gk), Elokobi, Guy, Guttridge.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. COLCHESTER UNITED; Izzet (57 foul).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. COLCHESTER UNITED; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Johnson (2), King (63). COLCHESTER UNITED; Platt (19), Lisbie (46).

REFEREE: N. D. Swarbrick.

ATTENDANCE: 16, 069 (763 Colchester supporters).