Watford 1 Middlesbrough 1: Super-sub Lita saves the day for Strachan but draw is not enough

Watford, who are now four points clear of the relegation zone, took the lead in spectacular fashion when the impressive John Eustace hit a sumptuous volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite long periods on the back foot, Boro were a constant threat on the break and Lita struck nine minutes into the second half, shortly after entering the fray.

Boss Gordon Strachan is not giving up on the push for the top six, however.

"There's always a chance," he said. "We've not done enough at the moment to say we should be in the top six.

"Whether we'll be able to do something in the last six games to say we should be in the top six, then that's fine, but at this moment we've not done enough, in terms of winning games, to be in the top six.

"We need individuals to stand up and make a difference in matches.

"There are so many draws in the division and you need something special to get the all-important win."

Watford almost went in front inside three minutes when goalkeeper Brad Jones had to dive full length to his right to keep out a 25-yard free-kick from Tom Cleverley.

But they did make the breakthrough in the 21st minute when the visitors could only half clear a corner to the edge of the area and the unmarked Eustace guided a volley back through a packed goalmouth and past Jones, who did not move.

But Boro were back on terms soon minutes after the restart. Lita started the move by winning the ball back in midfield and found Gary O'Neil, but his deep cross to the back post looked to be over-hit.

However, Julio Arca hooked the ball back in at the far post, Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach could only help the ball further across his goal-mouth and Lita was largely unchallenged as he nodded home.

But that was to be the only time the Watford defence was undone, and they could have taken all three points when a Cleverley shot was deflected narrowly over and then the unmarked Heidar Helguson failed to make a good contact from six yards out when another Cleverley ball was touched on.

Watford: Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit, Taylor, Doyley; Lansbury, Cowie, Cleverley, Buckley (Graham 81); Eustace, Helguson. Unused substitutes: Lee, McGinn, Harley, Hoskins, Noble, Hodson.

Middlesbrough: Jones; Hoyte, McManus, Wheater, Taylor; O'Neil, Robson, Arca (Franks 84), Rhys Williams; Killen, Miller (Lita 50). Unused substitutes: Coyne, Riggott, O'Shea, Grounds, Naughton.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Man of the match: Tom Cleverley.