A PATCHED-UP Watford side went someway to redeeming themselves for Saturday's debacle by picking up a hard-earned point at Bramall Lane this evening.

Nathan Ellington fired a spirited Watford side in front on 20 minutes with his second goal in three games but David Carney ensured honours deservedly ended even with a 66th-minute equaliser.

Given the injuries to Damien Francis, Darius Henderson, Collins John and the continued absence of Dan Shittu, Boothroyd would probably have taken a point before the game. He would have been particularly pleased with the endeavour and spirit his side showed against a Blades side who knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Steve Kabba epitomised a work-manlike performance with an all-action performance in attack while Adrian Mariappa fully justified his return to the side with a impressive performance alongside Jay DeMerit.

The early stages of what is traditionally a high-octane affair were very cagey indeed, with the only goalmouth action taking place on five minutes when Luton Shelton could only direct a header from a long Leigh Brondy throw straight at Richard Lee.

Watford started in cautious fashion, with John-Joe O'Toole and Lee Williamson shielding a new-look back four, but they drew first blood on 20 minutes with their first attempt on goal.

A crunching tackle by Williamson on half-way in front of the dug out saw the ball break for Steve Kabba. He held off two robust challenges to send Ellington charging at the heart of the United defence. Jobi McAnuff was in acres of space on the left-hand side but Ellington steadied himself before unleashing a sweet left-footed strike that nestled into the bottom right-hand corner of Paddy Kenny's net. It was the dream start for the Hornets.

The first goal was always going to prove crucial in a game between two out of form sides and, predictably, the home crowd started to turn on their team while Watford grew in confidence.

They largely kept the Blades at arms' length, with the goal of Lee threatened only by an effort from Lee Martin that drifted harmlessly wide, a header from Rob Hulse that looped over and a header from Gary Speed that the Watford number one dealt with.

With United forced to push forward in search of an equaliser, gaps started to appear and Watford looked dangerous on the counter attack. On 34 minutes, McAnuff and Ellington broke the length of the field but lacked telepathy at he crucial moment while Kabba, who worked tirelessly during the first 45 minutes, started and finished a move with a low shot that Kenny saved with his legs.

The Hornets started the second half on the front foot and Mariappa, a tower of strength in the first half, tested Kenny with a close-range effort following a corner from Mathew Sadler. At the other end, Stephen Quinn saw a long-range effort deflect off Williamson and loop over the bar for a corner.

McAnuff, Williamson and Shelton were booked in quick succession as the pace and intensity of game rose but Watford still looked in control, despite Shelton testing Lee with a side-footed effort following United's best move of the match on 56 minutes.

Ten minutes later, though, and the Blades were level. A long throw from Speed was flicked on by Morgan, Hulse cut the ball across the face of goal and half-time substitute Carney poked the ball in from close range. The timing of the goal was crucial as the home fans were becoming increasingly restless.

Ellington was given an immediate chance to get Watford's noses back in front but from a position similar to the one he hit the post on Saturday, he could only curl a free-kick over the bar and into the visiting fans.

United upped the tempo considerably and it took a low, one handed save from Lee to prevent a header from Brondby rolling into the corner on 73 minutes.

In an attempt to shore things up, Boothroyd brought on Jordan Stewart for McAnuff on 77 minutes while Robson responded by introducing Michael Tonge for Stephen Quinn.

When the two managers made defensive substitutions by bringing on Al Bangura and Chris Armstrong respectively they appeared to have settled for a point and that was how the scoreline remained.

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Sheffield: Kenny; Bromby, Morgan, Ehiogu, Naysmith; Hendrie, Speed, Quinn, Martin; Hulse, Shelton.

Subs: Carney for Hendrie, 45; Tonge for Quinn, 78; Armstrong for Shelton, 84. Kilgallon and Sharp not used.

Watford: Lee; Mariappa, DeMerit, Doyley, Sadler; Smith, Williamson, O'Toole, McAnuff; Ellington, Kabba.

Subs: Stewart for McAnuff, 77; Bangura for Ellington, 85. Poom, Priskin and Ainsworth not used.

Booked: McAnuff, Williamson, Shelton.

Att: 23,161.

Ref: Lee Mason