Watford made the better start to the game and got an early goal on 8 minutes. The City defence failed to deal with Smith's ball into the area and Micah Hyde slotted home from close range. The fault was mainly with Green though there was confusion with Kenton who is not one of our regular central defenders.
Watofrd remained on top for the rest of the half and City's usual trademark passing game wasn't evident, though we weren't without our chances with Russell and Nielsen looking lively. After Nedergaard's free-kick flew over the bar our best chance came on the half hour mark when David Neilsen headed Fleming's cross against the bar, the ball rebounding to safety.
Up the other end the chances were more frequent with Watofrd getting the Lion's share of the posession, with the City defence standing off the Watford players and giving them far too many oportunities. Green was grateful on 13 mins when Smith headed into his arms, and the City defence allowed Mooney to have two distance shots. Norwich were lucky in the 32nd minute when Gayle headed wide, and seven minutues later when the Watford strikers failed to connect with Cox's cross skimming past Green's goal.
Our luck couldn't last forever though and a good passing move involving Tommy Mooney resulted in Allan Nielsen slotting home four minutes before half-time. Skipper Iwan Roberts shot over the bar just before half-time but the score-line was unfortunately a fair reflection of the quality of play of the two sides.
Second Half
A formation change by Worthington at the break resulted in a much imporved performance in the second half. The wide players, McVeigh and Notman were replaced by Clint Easton and on-loan striker Trevor Benjamin who played up-front in a 4-3-3 formation.
Seven minutes after the re-start Norwich were forced to take off goalkeeper Robert Green through injury, replaced by Paul Crichton.
As the game went on Norwich began to look dangerous going forward for the first time being rewarded in the 65th minute when Nedergaard via David Nielsen was slotted home by Mr Iwan Roberts.
The Norwich goal jolted the Hornets back into life and their attack force again threatened, both sides having chances as the game went end to end, both sides desperate for the points. As the game neared it's end more City players were pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but we couldn't create any clear-cut chances and in the end were made to pay for our dire first half performance.