Colchester United 2 - 3 Watford

Colchester 2-3 Watford

Updated: December 4, 2007, 9:53 PM UK

Watford got their stuttering Coca-Cola Championship promotion campaign back on track after coming from two goals down to sink Colchester 3-2.

The struggling Us punished their visitors from two corners to put the Hornets in danger of suffering their fourth straight defeat.

Clive Platt fired home the opener and Matthew Connolly doubled the lead at Layer Road as Watford were made to pay for not taking their early chances.

But Marlon King reduced the deficit and then John-Joe O'Toole levelled the game in the last five minutes of the first half before Tamas Priskin nodded in the winner.

The result moved Watford - who had seen their lead at the top of the table cut from nine points to one in recent weeks - four clear of second-placed West Brom.

But the Hornets' nightmare run of form had looked set to continue when the home side took the lead after just seven minutes.

Top scorer Mark Yeates delivered an inswinging corner to the near post and the ball broke to Platt, who spun on the edge of the six-yard box and slammed it into the bottom corner.

The Hornets should have been level moments later when Tommy Smith made ground down the right and stood the ball up to the far post, but Priskin could only direct his header wide of the post.

Defender Dan Shittu, who has scored three goals in Watford's last three games, almost added to his tally from Jordan Stewart's left-wing corner but sent his header over the bar.

With an equaliser looking a mere matter of time, Watford were undone by another set piece after 28 minutes.

Johnnie Jackson's corner was met by Kevin Lisbie and, although goalkeeper Mart Poom managed to keep out his header, Connolly was on hand to blast home the loose ball from close range.

Watford were dealt a blow when Poom went off injured and was replaced by Alan Lee, but two quickfire strikes got them back on level terms.

King ran on to a long ball by O'Toole and fired his 10th goal of the season across Us stopper Dean Gerken and into the far corner five minutes before the break.

Just two minutes later, O'Toole took the glory himself, heading home Smith's cross from six yards.

Watford should have gone in front for the first time in the match shortly after the restart when the lively O'Toole broke downfield and set up Jobi McAnuff, but the winger blazed his shot horribly high when through on goal.

Priskin, though, spared his team-mate's blushes when he headed home Smith's beautifully-flighted cross at the far post in the 64th minute.

Colchester went close when Kemal Izzet fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area after Us substitute Teddy Sheringham had stolen the ball from Lloyd Doyley, but it was Watford who continued to look the more threatening.

King forced a fine save from Gerken with a long-range effort which the stopper tipped round a post as the Hornets secured a much-needed three points.