Watford Under-23s held Coventry to a 1-1 draw at London Colney thanks to the returning Alex Jakubiak's first-half penalty.

The Hornets fell behind early on to Kyle Finn's fine curled strike from the edge of the penalty area.

But after Michael Folivi was fouled in the box, Jakubiak, who has just completed a loan spell at Fleetwood Town, stepped up to equalise.

The forward could have sealed all three points late on, but was denied by Sky Blues goalkeeper Corey Addai.

A frantic opening began when Devon Kelly-Evans charged down Watford goalkeeper Andrew Thomas' clearance inside the opening minutes, but saw the ball stop before crossing the goal-line.

Josh Roe then saw his goalbound effort deflected inches over for the Hornets, before Finn's opener.

The winger picked up the ball just outside the box and took a touch before curling it beyond a despairing Thomas.

It could have been 2-0 25 minutes in, when Jordan Ponticelli's drive thumped against the post, a miss which would prove costly within moments.

Addai's failure to clear a backpass saw him instead foul Folivi, and from 12 yards Jukibiak sent the ball down the middle to level.

Folivi could have put the Hornets in front for the first time soon after, but Reece Ford made a strong recovery challenge to deny him from close range.

After the break the game remained open, with Ford again in form to deny Jakubiak, and Thomas making saves from Kelly-Evans and Finn.

Watford's goalscorer would again come close when he was twice denied by Addai from the same move, and, in the final minute, struck the woodwork with a free-kick - before Connor Stevens turned the loose ball home.

But when the celebrating Hornets' players noticed the assistant referee's flag their celebrations were shortlived, and they were forced to settle for a point.

Watford: Thomas; Empson, Stevens, Ryan, Rogers; Ovenden (Charles, 80), Roe, Stewart (c) (Obi, 73); Pereira, Folivi (Adeyemo, 62), Jakubiak

Not used: Huija, Lacy.