Ipswich Town 1-2 Watford

WATFORD CONTINUED their recent upturn in form with a late show at Ipswich to extend the host`s losing streak to seven straight games.

Ipswich took the lead on the stroke of half time through Keith Andrews but 70 and 74th minute goals from Marvin Sordell and Troy Deeney turned the game in Watford`s favour

Hornet`s boss Sean Dyche made just one change from the draw at home to Bristol City, Sordell back in for Craig Beattie. Joe Garner dropped down from the bench to accommodate the Scot.

Ipswich were able to name Ibrahima Sonko and David Stockdale so Jimmy Bullard and Aaron Lee-Barrett dropped to the bench for the hosts.

Sordell should have handed Watofrd the lead after 18 minutes when he made himself some space in the penalty area before firing well over on his right foot following good play down the left-hand side.

Ipswich grew in confidence and had a good chance from a corner with Danny Collins seeing his header saved before Jason Scotland saw his follow-up blocked. Sonko blazed over at the third attempt.

Despite starting as the brighter of the two, Watford allowed the hosts back into the game and Paul Jewell`s men looked the more likely of the two to score as the half wore on.

On the stroke of half-time Andrews made the most of their territory heading home Aaron Cresswell`s left-wing cross after winning possession from Mark Yeates` sloppy backward header.

Half-time: 1-0

Skipper Adrian Mariappa nearly bagged the leveller straight after the break when he saw a shot pushed over by Stockdale for a corner.

Ipswich`s reply came through Lee Bowyer who dragged a low cross just wide of goal with Lee Martin, Michael Chopra and Jason Scotland all failing to connect from close-range.

Yeates nearly made up for his first-half effort when thrashed against the angle of post and bar from a 30 yard free-kick before Chris Iwelumo and Sordell both came close to converting from Michael Kightly`s cut-back.

Chopra did get the ball in the net from Daryl Murphy`s centre but the Celtic loanee had crossed the ball when it was out of play and the goal was rightly chalked off.

With 22 minutes to go, the Hornets got the equaliser when Sonko brought down Kightly. Sordell stepped up to send Stockdale the wrong way and score his second penalty of the season.

Kightly caused Stockdale problems minutes later when he lashed at goal from 30 yards, but the Fulham loanee got down to block. Seconds later though Watford were ahead for the first-time on the day when Deeney hammered from close-range - five minutes after coming off the bench.

Watford seemed intent of making hard work of the last 10 minutes with Sonko, Murphy and Bowyer all coming close with six minutes to go in an almighty goalmouth scramble.

The scares kept coming as Trinidad and Tobago winger Carlos Edwards saw an injury-time effort blocked on the line by Mariappa as Watford closed out victory.

Full-time: 1-2

Ipswich Town: Stockdale; Edwards, Sonko, Collins, Cresswell; Murphy, Bowyer, Andrews, Martin; Chopra (Ellington) & Scotland.

Subs not used: Lee-Barrett (gk), Carson, Wabara & Bullard.

Watford: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa (c), Nosworthy, Dickinson; Yeates, Hogg, Buaben (Eustace), Kightly (Beattie); Sordell & Iwelumo (Deeney).

Subs not used: Bond (gk) & Mirfin.

Attendance: 16262

Referee: Mr K Stroud.

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