Crystal Palace 3 Watford 1

Watford saw their automatic promotion hopes take a serious nose dive during an amazing second half turn around by hosts, Crystal Palace who as a result, took a step nearer the play-offs.

Ahead thanks to Marlon King's 19th goal of the campaign the Golden Boys crucially lost their concentration following a lengthy stoppage for a nasty looking injury to Palace's Andrew Johnson, who had been involved in an innocent collision with Ben Foster.

The England man was eventually stretchered off and it was his replacement, the experienced Dougie Freedman who soon levelled for the Eagles, while own goals by Jordan Stewart and Jay DeMerit merely sealed Watford's fate.

The game started in swirling windy conditions and the hosts, conscious of the need to stamp their authority on proceedings began well and Malky Mackay was soon forced into making a couple of well timed clearances.

However, the Golden Boys always looked a threat on the counter and an excellent move ended with Palace's Darren Ward thrashing clear from his own goal line with Ashley Young poised to strike.

As the action moved to the other end Ben Watson curled a 25-yard free kick just wide of the upright following an indiscretion by Mackay but back came the visitors and after fashioning a good opening, Chris Eagles fire recklessly over the bar.

The hosts' defence was caught square as skipper Gavin Mahon slipped through a neat pass into the path of King and the Watford hit man took the ball in his stride before racing clear, rounding Gabor Kiraly and stroking the ball into the empty net from 12 yards.

The goal saw the visitors visibly grow in confidence and with the defence, Mackay in particular, remaining resolute Iain Dowie's side rarely threatened equality prior to the break, save for an acrobatic overhead kick from Johnson that was comfortably saved by a well positioned Foster.

The second half started in much the same vein, even allowing for Palace's increased urgency, no doubt a result of the manager's dressing room words of wisdom.

The game was to inextricably change when Johnson collapsed in a heap following an accidental clash of heads with Foster.

Rather than deflate the South Londoners it merely galvanised them into upping the tempo, and DeMerit was soon enticed into a rash looking challenge on Jobi McAnuff as the Palace man was entering the penalty box.

The resultant penalty, taken by substitute Freedman was brilliantly parried by a diving Foster in the Watford goal, but the renewed desire amongst the Palace team was there for all to see and three men, all wearing red and blue, reacted quickest to the loose ball including a relieved Freedman, who was then able to slot home the rebound past a prostrate goalie.

Once level Palace rocked and unfortunately Watford rolled and within five minutes had fallen behind.

Fitz Hall launched a long throw from the right hand side which skidded off the head of Stewart before sailing over Foster and landing in the far corner of his goal.

Watford battled gamely and with Mahon and King in inspirational form the Selhurst Park side could never relax and indeed Darius Henderson, from perhaps in his only chance blazed over when well placed. As Henderson's effort thundered over one sensed it was not to be Watford's night and this was confirmed five minutes from time.

A surging run by Tom Soares down the right ended with a dangerous near post cross, DeMerit and Clinton Morrison went for the ball, but it was the unfortunate American that got the touch which flew past Foster for another own goal.

As the visiting Hertfordshire fans trudged out into the busy of a South London night with disappointment etched on their faces, it was time to reflect on just how far Watford have come this season that the play-offs now offer a more realistic route into the Premiership.