At least Watford’s perseverance was rewarded when they came from two goals down to salvage a 3-3 draw in their latest pre-season friendly at Northampton Town this afternoon.

But whether they deserved the result is open to some debate because they were second best for most of the contest. However, some quick thinking from two-goal Danny Graham and a fortuitous Marvin Sordell finish saw the visitors turn the contest around with two goals in five second-half minutes - and they could, and perhaps should, have gone on to win, although by the same token they could also have lost it.

Following their mid-week defeat at another League Two side, Barnet, it was hoped the Hornets would get their pre-season back on track at Sixfields. But for much of the game it looked like worse was on the cards, leaving Malky Mackay and his players with plenty to work on - and rectify - before the new season starts in less than two weeks time.

Mackay made three changes from the team that started the 1-0 defeat at Underhill. Graham was fit to return following his nose injury, while Dale Bennett and Michael Bryan also came in at the expense of Sordell, Lee Hodson and Piero Mingoia.

Watford had the first sniff of an opening in the seventh minute when a back pass almost caused confusion in the Cobblers defensive ranks, as Dean Beckwith and Paul Walker both closed on the ball together, but with Graham ready to pounce, keeper Walker did well to clear under pressure.

But it was the Saints who struck first in the 12th minute thanks in no small part to several defensive errors from their opponents.

With Bennett caught out of position, Adrian Mariappa was dragged across by a clever ball down the left side of the Hornets’ defence. Michael Jacobs was under no pressure when the ball was worked back to him on the left angle of the area, giving him time to pick a cross that saw two Cobblers players unmarked at the back post and Kevin Thornton headed back for Jacobs, whose move into the area was again not picked up, to rifle past Scott Loach from 12 yards.

After Don Cowie had fired the Hornets’ first opportunity over, Jacobs doubled his tally on 19 minutes – and again it was a goal that raised questions about the visitors defensively.

This time the move stemmed from the opposite side of the pitch, with the Hornets seemingly powerless as Tadhg Purcell and Billy McKay combined at pace before the former played in a fine cross that went right across the six-yard box and Jacobs came at the back stick to head past a stranded Loach, who had decided to stay on his line.

But Northampton went some way to repaying the favours on 26 minutes as Graham celebrated his return to fitness with a goal.

A large gap appeared in front of the Cobblers’ back line, allowing John Eustace to find Bryan and the youngster took advantage of the space in front of him before sliding a perfectly-weighted pass through to Graham, who confidently slipped the ball past Walker to make it 2-1.

It looked like Graham might be in trouble when he came to the touchline soon after scoring for treatment to his nose but, after a few repairs, he was fine to continue. Bennett also needed attention after a heavy challenge but, like his team-mate, he was able to rejoin the fray. However, it was only for a while as, clearly limping, Bennett was replaced by Hodson after 36 minutes.

Before the substitution though, the lively McKay had seen a shot deflected wide of Loach’s left-hand post and, from the resultant corner, Seb Harris came up from the back to fire over.

But there were mocking chants of “easy, easy” from the Cobblers fans five minutes before the interval when the home side scored their third. This time Jacobs turned creator, taking on and beating Hodson with ease before standing up a superb cross that was met by the unmarked Purcell and, although his first effort was blocked by Loach’s legs, he still had the time to react and stab the loose ball over the line.

It was no surprise that the Watford boss made a change at the start of the second half after sending his team out five minutes early, with Stephen McGinn replacing the ineffective Ross Jenkins.

Watford had the first chance of the second period when persistent play from Will Buckley was rewarded with a corner. The same player took it, but Eustace’s header went up in the air and behind.

But it took a fantastic save from Loach to prevent an already bad afternoon from getting even worse after 51 minutes.

Thornton played in Paul Rodgers on the right flank and the right-back’s fine cross was met by the unmarked Purcell, who seemed certain to score only for the Watford keeper to plunge to his right and wonderfully claw the ball away.

Loach again came to his side’s rescue moments later when he denied Thornton after the midfielder had found himself with a clear opportunity, despite four or five opponents being in close proximity.

Sordell came on for Buckley ten minutes after the restart and then Mingoia replaced Bryan, but the hosts were still looking the most threatening and cohesive side.

However, on 65 minutes the Hornets did have another opportunity when a Cowie corner from the left was well met by Eustace at the far post, but his header was straight at Walker.

Cobblers pass Ian Sampson had also made three changes to his side by the mid-way point of the second half and switched from the productive 4-4-1-1 formation to 4-4-2. But this didn’t stop the chances from coming.

First it took a brave block from Eustace to prevent Ryan Gilligan from having a clear strike on goal and then replacement Courtney Herbert flashed a drive across the target.

However, Peter Walton denied Watford what looked a promising situation when he didn’t play advantage just as Sordell, who had bundled his way through, slipped a pass into Graham.

Whether it was because he knew he’d got it wrong, only he knows, but the Premiership referee allowed Graham to take the subsequent free-kick very quickly and the ball was past Walker while he was still lining up his wall.

Incredibly – and whether they deserved it or not is questionable – but within foour minutes it was 3-3. This time Northampton didn’t deal with a ball into the box, Eustace headed it back in and the unmarked Sordell found the back of the net, albeit with a slice that came off the outside of his boot and went in off the post.

But having got back on terms, Watford so nearly threw it away again when they conceded a free-kick 25 yards out and Thornton’s set-piece beat Loach all ends up, only to rebound off his right-hand post.

However, it was then the visitors turn to almost score a fourth when Sordell broke into the six-yard box, only for Walker to deny the striker as he went to go round him, and then Lloyd Doyley missed the target with the rebound.

Walker also did well to thwart Graham from a tighter angle as the game became too stretched in the closing stages, but it was the Hornets who were finishing the stronger – and twice Doyley could have got the winner.

First an effort was blocked as he found himself on the edge of the area and then, when the ball worked back to him, the defender worked a clearer opening, only to drag his shot narrowly wide of the target.

Northampton Town: Walker; Rodgers (Johnson 61), Harris, Beckwith, Hall; Thornton, Gilligan, Wedderburn; Purcell (Guinan 66); McKay (Herbert 63). Not used: Kaziboni, Gherasim, Slowe, Farquharson Konstantinou and Death.

Watford: Loach; Bennett (Hodson 36), Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley; Bryan (Mingoia 63), Eustace, Jenkins (McGinn 46), Cowie; Buckley (Sordell 55), Graham. Not used: Gilmartin, Kiernan and Henderson.

Attendance: 1,722 (Watford contingent: 525).

Referee: Peter Walton.