Barnsley 3 Watford 2: Lee slip-up adds to bad week for keepers

Runaway Championship leaders Watford suffered only their second away League defeat of the season as Barnsley continued their unexpected promotion push at a rain-soaked Oakwell.

Watford dominated the first half only to find themselves two goals down after 35 minutes with Barnsley's top-scorer Brian Howard and Martin Devaney capitalising on some sub-standard defending. Dan Shittu, with two headers, brought Watford deservedly level before the interval but his side failed to reproduce the same form after half time. Instead, Barnsley stole all three points when Richard Lee, under challenge from Lewin Nyatanga, deflected Howard's free-kick into his own net.

It was a controversial winner and Aidy Boothroyd, the Watford manager, was also furious that two penalty appeals had been turned down by the referee, Keith Pike. "There were two clear penalties and it was a foul for their third goal," he said. "I've had a word with the referee because some of the decisions were mind-boggling to say the least."

Watford were much the better team throughout the opening period, with Lee Williamson invariably at the heart of their best moments, and Barnsley were rarely out of their own half.

Yet with 33 minutes gone, they found themselves two goals to the good. The first came from a chipped free kick from Jamal Campbell-Ryce that was cleared only into the path of Howard, who swept the ball home from 12 yards. Campbell-Ryce was also the provider for the second, this time crossing deep for Devaney to volley beyond Lee with a delightful side-foot finish.

It was an improbable lead and Watford duly negated it before the interval through two Shittu back-post headers. The first came from a Williamson free-kick and the second when the defender met a Tommy Smith cross.

To their credit, Barnsley were undeterred and were much improved in the second half. A Jon Macken header was wonderfully saved by Lee, at full stretch, before Istvan Ferenczi horribly sliced over from six yards with the goal at his mercy. Fortunately for him, what proved to be the winner followed shortly afterwards as Simon Davey celebrated a year in charge of Barnsley in style, with his side moving to within touching distance of the play-offs.

"Simon has done a fantastic job here and I think they are a very good side," said Boothroyd.