WATFORD were forced to swallow yet another bitter Premiership pill on Saturday when they were sunk by an 88th minute penalty by Lumana LuaLua away at Portsmouth and suffered a 2-1 defeat.

The Hornets looked to be holding on for their third away point of the season when the magnificent Kanu took a tumble under a challenge from Jay DeMerit. Referee Chris Foy had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and LuaLua made no mistake from 12 yards.

Aidy Boothroyd was furious at the decision and made his feelings known to Foy in a heated exchange at the final whistle. The decision was harsh but DeMerit did have his hands on the back of the lanky Nigerian who had earlier cancelled out the American's first-half opener.

Angry at the official's failure to award penalties for a push on Darius Henderson and hand ball by Linvoy Primus, The Watford boss also saw his injury woes compounded by the loss of both Ben Foster and Hameur Bouazza who both limped off before half-time.

Boothroyd sprung a double surprise in his team selection, dropping both of his big-money summer signings. Dan Shittu, who was given a torrid time by Didier Drogba last weekend, was replaced by Malkay Mackay, while Matt Spring was handed his first league start of the season at the expense of Damien Francis.

Harry Redknapp was forced to make two changes of his own, replacing the ill Matt Taylor with Niko Kranjcar and the injured Gary O'Neil with David Thompson.

Watford should have been in front inside the first two minutes. A weak header back to David James from David Thompson found Mackay eight yards out but the Scottish defender lacked composure and mis-cued a left-footed effort over the bar.

For the next 20 minutes though it was all Pompey. Foster was forced to keep out a grass-cutting free-kick from Thompson, DeMerit produced a superb covering tackle to pip LuaLua to a Thompson centre and then Sean Davis saw a low shot well saved by the England keeper after a neat exchange of passes between Kanu, Lua Lua and Thompson.

However, Watford came to life midway through the first half and started to trouble the visitors with their quality from set-pieces. Ashley Young saw a goal bound volley blocked by Dejan Stefanovic and the away fans were pleading for a penalty when a Young cross from the left was handled by Primus.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy and the goal they had been threatening arrived on 32 minutes. A beautifully flighted corner from Young was met with a towering header by DeMerit who took advantage of a dummy run from Henderson to beat both Stefanovic and James to the ball. It was only Watford's third away goal all season and DeMerit's first since that memorable May afternoon in Cardiff.

The Hornets suffered a blow soon after when Bouazza was replaced after failing to shake of an ankle injury sustained from a late challenge with Thompson. Foster also gave Boothroyd a scare when he required treatment on a knee injury from physio Andy Rolls.

The Hornets looked to have survived until half-time when Kanu scooped in the equaliser on 44 minutes after Foster and then Spring had done brilliantly to stop efforts from Kanu and Sean Davis.

Richard Lee replaced the injured Foster at half-time but the early second-half action was at the other end as Watford came out with the bit between their teeth. And the visitors would probably have taken the lead for a second time had Henderson squared the ball for the unmarked Priskin instead of selfishly going for goal.

The Hornets created further chances for the impressive Tommy Smith and Henderson, again, but Pompey upped the ante and were the dominant side in the last third of the match.

Despite the odd scare, Watford looked to be keeping the home side at arms' length until two minutes from time when Kanu, looking suspiciously off side, was bundled over in the box by DeMerit. Lee guessed the right way but could not get a hand to LuaLua's penalty. It was the latest in a series of body blows that must leaveWatford wondering if this is going to be their season.

Porstmouth: James; Paramot, Primus, Campbell, Stefanovic ; Thompson, Mendes, Davis, Kranjcar; Kanu, LuaLua. Subsitutes: Cole for Thompson, 65.

Watford: Foster; Doyley, DeMerit, Mackay, Stewart; Smith, Mahon , Spring, Bouazza; Henderson, Young. Substitutes: Priskin for Bouazza, 34; Lee for Foster, 46; Chambers for Henderson, 80.