With five senior players missing through injury Saturday's trip to top of the table Watford was always going to be a tough ask, but Pool gave a great account of themselves and fully deserved their point.

The Hornets got things underway on a surprisingly mild September afternoon; those Watford fans sat adjacent to the press area were expecting the game to be a formality and a comfortable win, but last season's Premiership wooden spoonists were made to fight all the way for a share of the spoils.

Pool forced the games first corner on 11 minutes when Andy Morrell's persistence forced Lloyd Doyley to turn behind, David Fox floated a teasing ball towards the penalty spot, Watford keeper Mart Poom tried to flick the ball away but failed, but unfortunately for the Seasiders the Watford defence cleared their lines.

The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down on 12 minutes Adam Johnson went to ground under a challenge from Michael Jackson, referee Richard Beeby waved away the protest and much to the home supporters dismay then booked Johnson for simulation.

Kaspars Gorkss was forced clear behind for corner on 16 minutes, the resulting set play caused Pool all kinds of problems, Watford skipper Gavin Mahon rose to head towards goal but his powerful effort rebounded off the bar to Danny Shittu who then saw his snap shot hit bar brilliantly turned away for a corner by Rachubka. Rachubka then did well to claim Johnson's inswinger.

Pool forced their second corner of the game on 20 minutes after some good work from Danny Coid, but Wes Hoolahan's cross from the right was easily cleared by the Hornets defence.

Darius Henderson should have done better for Watford on 22 minutes, the in form striker, unmarked hooked a left wing corner over from 12 yards.

Pool forced yet another corner on 24 minutes, this time Gary Taylor-Fletcher earned the Seasiders their set play forcing Jordan Stewart to turn behind, but once again the set play failed to test the hosts defence.

With the home supporters beginning to get a little restless Pool forced another corner after Keith Southern showed some great strength to hold off DeMerit, unfortunately the resulting corner eluded everyone and Watford were able to clear.

David Fox blazed over on the half hour after some neat patient build up play.

Shaun Barker who had declared himself fit on the morning of the game had to turn a left wing cross behind for a corner but once again the set play failed to test the Pool defence.

A minute later Michael Jackson was forced to turn behind for a corner, this time Henderson met the left wing cross and headed well over Rachubka's cross bar.

With ten minutes before the break, Watford forced another corner, this time Danny Shittu got on the end of the cross, but the big man could only direct his header wide of Rachubka's right hand post.

Kaspars Gorkss was somewhat harshly penalised for a foul on Henderson on the edge of the penalty area five minutes before the interval and once again the Seasiders fell foul of a sweetly struck free kick, on loan winger ADAM JOHNSON stepped up and curled a fantastic strike over the wall and beyond Paul Rachubka to turn the Hornets jeers to cheers.

HALF TIME Watford 1 Blackpool 0

Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening exchanges of the second half, Pool forced their first corner of the half on 53 minutes but a quickly taken set play involving Wes Hoolahan and Danny Coid came to nothing with Watford charging down Coid's cross, much to the frustration of the Pool dug out.

Watford made a double change to the derision of the home support on 56 minutes when Darius Henderson and Adam Johnson gave way to record signing Nathan Ellington and million pound signing Jobi McAnuff.

Pool enjoyed two corners in quick succession but despite the crosses causing the Watford defence problems the ball wouldn't fall for the Tangerines

Midway through the half Pool made their first change of the afternoon when Keigan Parker replaced Michael Flynn the change saw Pool revert to their preferred 4-4-2 formation.

A minute later Pool were given a huge let off when Tommy Smith somehow managed to head wide from two yards after Nathan Ellington had headed back across goal

Pool were given a lifeline on 72 minutes when Gary Taylor-Fletcher was bundled over by the man mountain Danny Shittu in the area after David Fox's corner was only half cleared by the Hornets defence. Referee Richard Beeby had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and WES HOOLAHAN kept his composure and was not distracted by the childish antics of several Watford players and the tricky Irishman coolly sent Mart Poom the wrong way to give Pool a deserved equaliser.

The goal saw Watford step up a gear and throw everything at the Seasiders, Jobi McAnuff forced a corner for the hosts on 78 minutes, three minutes later McAnuff saw a shot from the edge of the area take a wicked deflection off skipper Michael Jackson. A minute earlier a quick counter attack from Pool earned Simon Grayson's men a corner on 80 minutes, David Fox sent Keigan Parker racing clear, but the Scot's run was halted when DeMerit recovered to block behind, this time David Fox saw his corner headed wide by Kaspars Gorkss.

Marlon King got the better of Gorkss for the first time on 83 minutes but the striker blazed over from 18 yards.

Pool made their second change of the afternoon on 85 minutes when John Hills replaced Wes Hoolahan.

Watford continued to press for a winner, but a combination of some last ditch defending and the woodwork prevented Aidy Boothroyd's men from taking the three points.

With 90 seconds of stoppage time remaining Pool threw on Claus Jorgensen in place of the shattered Andy Morrell.

The full time whistle was greeted by jeers from the home supporters but few could deny Pool more than deserved their point.

POOL: Rachubka, Barker, Jackson, Gorkss, Coid, Taylor-Fletcher, Fox, Flynn (Parker 67), Southern, Hoolahan (Hills 85), Morrell (Jorgensen 90). Subs Not Used: Evans, Welsh

WATFORD: Poom, Stewart, Shittu, DeMerit, Doyley, Johnson (McAnuff 56), Mahon, Williamson, Smith, King, Henderson (Ellington 56) Subs Not Used: Lee, Priskin, Mariappa,