Watford had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at Steveange in their second pre-season friendly in front of supporters.

Jamie Reid made the most of a defensive mix-up in only the second minute of the game to fire the hosts into the lead but Ken Sema nodded home an equaliser shortly before half time.  

The match was unfortunately called to a halt prematurely after Hornets substitute Dapo Mebude picked up a serious injury. 

Xisco Munoz mixed and matched his starting XI once again, with first team contenders featuring alongside youngsters. 

Ben Foster starting in goal again, this time behind trialist Samuel Okoye-Ahaneku at right back, Cathcart and William Troost-Ekong in the centre and new signing Danny Rose on the left.  

Cucho Hernandez, who had impressed in attack in the goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion dropped into midfield alongside Philip Zinckernagel and Dan Gosling, while Troy Deeney kept his place up front alongside new arrival Ashley Fletcher and Sema. 

Meanwhile there was no room in the matchday squad for Will Hughes and Stipe Perica who were both involved in a Watford Under 23s team playing away at St Albans City. Both are expected to depart the club this summer. 

It was a calamitous start to the game for the Hornets, who were behind within two minutes. 

Cathcart’s lazy attempted pass across the back was easily intercepted by Reid and he had the simple task of beating Foster from inside the 18-yard box.  

The lead was almost doubled just five minutes later when Ben Coker was given far too much time and space on Watford’s right flank to hang a cross into the area. Eliott List climbed highest, but headed over the top.  

Former Watford player and manager Kenny Jackett watched on from the stands as the visitors struggled to get a grip on the game.  

Some brave defending was required from Okoye-Ahaneku after List had crossed in from the right, with the League Two side looking much more accomplished than their Premier League guests in the opening quarter of the match. 

List continued to cause problems and might have done better when taking a trialist’s cross down in the area with good control, but was unable to get his shot on target. 

At the other end, Watford managed their first meaningful effort on the 20-minute mark, with Fletcher pouncing on Luther James-Wildin's heavy touch, only to fire straight at Joseph Anang. 

They created another chance two minutes later after working the ball to Deeney in the box, but the skipper skied his shot from the corner of the six-yard box.  

Normal service resumed just moments later when List again caused problems for Cathcart, this time driving to the line before pulling back to Reid, but the goalscorer was unable to double his tally, firing wide under pressure from Troost-Ekong.  

Reid got his next effort on target, but Foster was equal to it, getting down to his right-hand side swiftly to block.  

With quarter-of-an-hour still to go in the first half, the travelling Watford fans were celebrating what they thought had been a goal. However, Cathcart’s headed flick from Zinckernagel’s free kick delivery had rippled the net from behind the goal after sailing over, cueing sarcastic cheering from the home supporters. 

They almost had genuine cause for celebration five minutes later when List again made light work of Cathcart, but failed to get the better of Foster with his effort. 

Stevenage were made to rue their missed chances soon after when Watford restored parity. 

Fletcher’s delivery from out on the left was met in the centre by Sema, who headed beyond the reach of Anang and the sides went in level at the break. 

Munoz made five changes at half time, with Sema, Gosling, Cathcart, Zinckernagel and Fletcher replaced by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, George Abbott, Kwadwo Baah, Henry Wise and Mebude. 

The changes made an almost immediate impact, pushing Watford further up the pitch and getting them on the front foot. 

Deeney forced a save out of Anang after just ten minutes, while Wise ought to have done better from the resulting corner, which he fired over the bar.  

Lo-Everton was the next of the substitutes to go close but could only fire wide from the edge of the box after Hernandez won the ball back with some good pressing.  

Trialist James Morris, who looked positive against West Brom at the weekend, joined the game at left back with half an hour remaining, replacing Rose before Joshua King came on ten minutes later in place of Hernandez, while Rob Elliot replaced Foster.  

Jeremy Ngakia also made an appearance late on, replacing Okoye-Ahaneku.

Wise had another chance to score from the edge of the area with ten minutes remaining, after King's neat layoff, but he guided his effort beyond the far post with his instep.

There was late concern for Mebude who had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher after the end of the match.

The referee even blew the whistle before a substitute could be made and the game finished in a draw a few minutes early, with the Scotland youth International treated by paramedics.