AIDY Boothroyd's side were held to a 1-1 draw by a hard working Blackpool side at Vicarage Road this afternoon, the Hornets failed to build upon a first half free kick from Adam Johnson and the Seasiders produced a strong second half performance to take a well earned point back to the north west.

Despite plenty of corners and free kicks in and around the penalty boxes neither side produced much to test the two goalkeepers during the 90 minutes. Watford showed small signs of the side they can be going forward but they were largely frustrated by a resilient Blackpool team who were well organised and stuck to a rigid plan.

Aidy Boothroyd stuck with the same players who drew at Loftus Road with Queens Park Rangers last weekend. The front two of Darius Henderson and Marlon King had recovered from their bout of flu while centre half Jay DeMerit was passed fit following a knock picked up at Cardiff.

The Seasiders came to Vicarage Road in a middle of an injury crisis and had played an extra time Carling Cup game with Southend during the week that didn't help matters for Simon Grayson's team.

Mahon in mid-air... the skipper competes in midfield

The opening stages could certainly be described as scrappy as neither side managed to get hold of the ball and pass it around. Both teams forced corners but no one could muster up much to trouble either goalkeeper in the September sunshine.

The first major talking point of the game came when the on-loan Adam Johnson was booked for diving in the Blackpool penalty box. At first glance the majority of the crowd thought it was a penalty kick for the home team but the referee pulled out a surprise and booked Johnson for going down too easily under the tackle of a Blackpool defender.

Things slowly began to pick up as the half developed, following a well placed corner kick the Hornets had three opportunities to open the scoring at the Vicarage Road end. First DeMerit slammed a header towards the bar, then Henderson followed up and saw his effort blocked while big Dan Shittu hit a shot goal-wards, but it came flying out after striking a defender in the packed penalty area.

Lloyd Doyley continued his recent streak of getting forward down the right flank when he forced another corner in the 21st minute after neat interplay between him and his partner in crime Tommy Smith. Unfortunately the 'Orns failed to capitalise again from a corner kick this time round.

King in action... Marlon's in the thick of it

King was in attack with Henderson and both were well marshalled by the Tangerines. However when the popular number nine did create some space on the right hand side his incisive ball into the box was nearly put into his own net by 'Pool defender Shaun Barker, who sliced behind for a corner.

The Seasiders had rarely troubled Mart Poom in goal for the Hornets but they were proving difficult opposition to break down. Lone striker Andy Morrell was up against it with DeMerit and Shittu closely monitoring him but he was supported whenever possible by the Blackpool midfield.

With five minutes of the half remaining the home side took the lead thanks to a left footed set piece from Johnson, just outside the box. Blackpool centre half Kaspars Gorkss was adjudged to have brought down hit man Henderson and the boy from Boro calmly stepped up and looped his free kick over the wall and past Rachubka.

Lovely Adam... Johnson scores his second in two games

The Hornets went close to adding a second in stoppage time when Smith once again got to the by-line and swung a great ball to the back post when Henderson was waiting. However this time the defender did enough to the put the Doncaster born striker off and his header went wide of the post.

Half time: Watford 1 - 0 Blackpool

Once again the Golden Boys were out early for the second period as Boothroyd had obviously said enough to his troops and sent them out to make sure they started like a whirlwind. It was certainly an improved beginning as they immediately attacked and it was only the boot of a Blackpool defender which stopped King from getting his shot in on goal during the opening seconds.

Blackpool came out with more attacking ideas as well with Gary Taylor-Fletcher bursting through the middle, holding off a number of challenges and seeing his shot come rocketing off a Watford player to force a corner for Grayson's side. Morrell then forced another corner kick after his shot was blocked by a last-ditch Watford tackle.

The Seasiders continued to press and started to clock up a number of corner kicks as midfielder Keith Southern saw his effort deflect out for yet one more. Boothroyd decided upon a double change in the 55th minute as Jobi McAnuff and Nathan Ellington came on for Henderson and goal-scorer Johnson.

Hendo-ne... Darius is substituted

The tide of the game was changing with the advantage swinging the way of the visitors as they started to force further corners and settle in the Hornets' half.  

Against the run of play the Golden Boys had a perfect opportunity to see off the resurgence of Blackpool when Ellington intelligently and unselfishly headed down for the on-rushing Smith. But the wide man could only look on in despair as his glancing header went wide of the far post at the Rookery End.

Smith sees it wide... further frustration for Tommy

Grayson's side got their rewards for their efforts when they were awarded a penalty in the 72nd  minute - midfielder Wes Hoolahan calmly stepped up and planted an unstoppable shot into the top corner past Poom to send the Blackpool fans into celebration behind the goal. The penalty was awarded after Taylor-Fletcher was brought down by Shittu just six yards out in a packed penalty area as the Seasiders continued to press the Watford backline.

The 'Orns tried to get back into the contest as ex-Blackpool loanee Shittu saw his header sail wide from a corner kick from McAnuff.

McAnuff was in the thick of the action with the next opportunity as well as he went solo down the middle of the pitch and after leaving a 'Pool defender trailing in his wake his low shot was deflected behind for a corner; from which captain Gavin Mahon headed wide at the far post.

King continued his search for a goal from open play but the centre forward could only watch as his hard hit shot flew over the bar and as the minutes ticked away frustrations were growing inside Vicarage Road as the Hornets failed to test Rachubka in the Blackpool net.

With two minutes remaining and the Hornets launching everything towards the Blackpool net, Smith hit the bar after a melee in the penalty box. It looked to be a certain goal but unfortunately summed a frustrating afternoon all round in Hertfordshire.

Sums it up... Smith grounded after another miss

WATFORD (4-4-2): Poom; Doyley, Stewart, Shittu, DeMerit; Mahon, Williamson, Johnson (McAnuff 55), Smith; King, Henderson (Ellington 55). Subs not used: Lee (gk), Priskin, Mariappa.

BLACKPOOL (4-5-1): Rachubka; Coid, Jackson (c), Barker, Gorkss; Southern, Flynn (Parker 67), Fox, Hoolahan (Hill 84), Taylor-Fletcher; Morrell (Jorgensen 91). Subs not used: Evans (gk), Welsh.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Johnson (simulation 11). BLACKPOOL; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. BLACKPOOL; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Johnson (40).  BLACKPOOL; Hoolahan (72).

REFEREE: R J Beeby.

ATTENDANCE: 16, 580.