IF the Middlesbrough squad and staff weren’t already banging their heads against the wall after their start to the season, the result at Vicarage might have seen a foot go through it.

Against a Watford side who were recently relegated from the Premier League, Boro matched them for large parts of the game and deserved to walk away with at least a point. But they were undone by a deflection in the dying embers as Vakoun Bayo’s finish in stoppage time delivered a cruel blow to Chris Wilder and his side.

Fireworks, pyrotechnics, Elton John and a number of Watford legends were part of the pre-match celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Vicarage Road but Boro were not willing to be bystanders of the party in Hertfordshire. A great move in the opening minutes of the game was a true a vindication of the type of signings Chris Wilder has been chasing all summer.

After lovely combination between Ryan Giles and Alex Mowatt on the left to squeeze of a tight space, the midfielder freed up the run of Giles down the line. He burst past Franciso Sierralta to the byline and lofted a high ball into the box. It was causing problems for goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann who came out to claim but the instinct of Rodrigo Muniz was there for all to see who positioned himself well and nodded the ball into an empty net as Bachmann came to claim. A true poacher’s finish to put Boro in the lead within four minutes.

After that goal, there was feeling that Boro may well have angered the beast as Watford’s quick pacy forwards looked to provide a response. Wilder’s side were punished when the Hornets worked the ball to Joao Pedro on the left hand side and drove at the Boro defence. He was allowed to drift infield and find Ismalia Sarr in the box. Mowatt attempted to win the ball but Sarr so the challenge coming, chopped away from the midfielder and slid the ball into the bottom corner. Both scorer and provider showing why Premier League clubs are retaining their interests.

Rod Edwards side were well into their stride now. Joao Pedro squirmed away from Jonny Howson challenge and caught the defence on the back foot with a through ball to Sarr. This time, the forward would be denied at the angle as Liam Roberts made himself big and blocked the shot.

Boro were weathering a storm up until the half-time break but had a great chance to get back in front. After good hold-up play from Muniz, he laid the ball off to Riley McGree on the left. His inviting cross to the back post fed the run of Isaiah Jones who was stretching every part of his body to get there but could only divert the ball wide.

Roberts was forced into another save as Joao Pedro’s firm strike at the angle was palmed away before Yaser Asprilla picked up the pieces on the edge of the box and blasted over the bar. An intense second half awaited.

Boro had to suffer from the loss of captain Howson at half-time as he couldn’t shake off a knock but were much more settled after the break and tested Watford from a set pieces. A free-kick into the box was met by the head of Lenihan whose header ensued a scramble. McGree picked up the pieces on the edge of the box but sliced his shot wide.

Darragh Lenihan was the next one to be added to the casualty list after having his heel trodded on from a corner. The Irishman looked to be in pain and could not continue as Dael Fry came into the fray with a point to prove.

It was his defensive partner that forced Bachmann into action just after the hour mark. Another Giles delivery from a dead ball into the box found Matt Clarke who powered his header goalwards only to see the German pull off a great save and palm the ball away.

The Hornets still had sting in them as the game drew on. As Hamza Choudhury caught Boro with a through ball to Joao Pedro, he didn’t catch out Fry who charged across to make a last minute block.

As the game reached stoppage time, Boro were tiring in their legs and were having to withstand a big late push from the home side. But we’ve seen too many times this season points slip away from them.

A long punt up the field saw Clarke’s header drop the way of Joao Pedro on the edge of the box. He dragged the ball to the edge of the box and his deflected shot bounced it’s way to substitute Vakoun Bayo. It was a cruel blow as the striker had time and space to pick his spot past Roberts and send Vicarage Road in raptures.