A 93rd minute Heidar Helguson penalty could not end Watford's winless run which was extended to six matches after a 2-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers.

The Hornets have now not won since the televised 3-1 victory over QPR on December 7th as a Sean O'Driscoll-inspired Rovers made it five wins in six.

Dean Shiels gave Doncaster a deserved lead in the first half and although Watford fought back in the second period, an excellent Gareth Roberts volley with less than ten minutes to go meant Helguson's spot kick was too little, too late.

Watford were on the back foot for much of the first half and Don Cowie was the only one to test Neil Sullivan in the opening 45 minutes with a tame stab at goal midway through the half.

Tom Cleverley, Henri Lansbury and Danny Graham all had shots at goal blocked but it was the home side who had the best chances.

Rovers could have opened the scoring in the third minute when James Coppinger's shot was parried by Scott Loach into the legs of Billy Sharp six yards out, but the striker was unable to divert the ball goalwards.

The impressive Shiels dragged a shot wide a minute later and also forced Loach to turn a curling shot wide of the post soon after.

Loach was arguably the Hornets' best player and had to tip a Coppinger cross over the bar and palm a Sharp header away.

Sharp, who has scored eight goals in his previous nine games, will also know he should have tested Loach with another chance before the break but he dragged his effort wide.

Watford could have taken the lead within 30 seconds of the restart when John Eustace attempted to lob Sullivan but the veteran keeper made a diving save.

It was Doncaster, however, who took the lead on 50 minutes when Coppinger back heeled the ball into the path of Shiels, who had got goal side of Lee Hodson, and after turning inside the full back, he slipped the ball between Lloyd Doyley's legs and past the diving Loach.

Shortly after Gareth Roberts had shot wide, Sharp forced Loach into another save, although it was comfortable for the England Under-21 international.

Watford had a decent chance when Cleverley picked out John Eustace at a corner but his volley was once again deflected.

The Hornets were on top for a while and when Sullivan tipped Lansbury's 30-yard strike over the bar, Helguson had a header from the resulting corner saved by the Rovers' keeper.

Shiels almost grabbed a second with a powerful strike at goal but Loach again parried the ball away.

The 21-year-old keeper then denied Sharp again moments later when the striker turned on the edge of the box.

Watford's best chance of the game unfortunately fell to centre back Mariappa. Helguson knocked down Doyley's long ball but Mariappa's volley was over.

The result was all but secured on 83 minutes when left back Roberts found the top corner with a 25-yard volley.

The visitors almost pulled one back in the final minute of normal time when Cleverley's cross was diverted onto the bar by Mark Wilson under pressure from Helguson and Liam Henderson.

Watford set up a tense finish when Helguson converted a 93rd-minute penalty after Hoskins was brought down but they could find the equaliser.

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; Chambers, Shackell (Hird 74), O'Connor, Roberts; Wilson, Stock (Spicer 74), Oster; Coppinger (Webster 86), Sharp, Shiels. Subs: Guy, Smith, Hayter, Heffernan.

Watford: Loach; Hodson (Henderson 86), DeMerit, Mariappa, Doyley; Cowie (Bryan 73), Lansbury, Eustace, Cleverley; Helguson, Graham (Hoskins 60). Subs: Lee, Bennett, Harley, Jenkins.