WATFORD failed to add the name of Fulham to their list of Premiership scalps this season after a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road this afternoon in a Third Round FA Cup tie but the Hornets will at least have the consolation of a place in Monday's Fourth Round draw following this cracking cup-tie.

Another game in an already congested fixture list is probably the last thing Ray Lewington would have wanted, but no one could argue that a replay at Craven Cottage is the only fair outcome after a terrific 90 minutes.

In the end, a Zat Knight header and Heidar Helguson penalty were all the two sides had to show for their endeavours, but, on another day, this match could easily have finished 4-4 such was the multitude of chances created by both teams.

Lewington made a host of changes from the side which lost 2-1 at Brighton and switched to a 4-5-1 formation. Alec Chamberlain came in for his first start to the season in place of Paul Jones, who Wolves did not want to be cup-tied, meaning there was no goalkeeping cover on the bench. Paul Mayo missed out as Jermaine Darlington was fit to return at left-back, and James Chambers reverted to right-back in place of Lloyd Doyley, who was on the bench. Gavin Mahon returned after his suspension, with Dominic Blizzard among the substitutes, but arguably the biggest news was the return of Neal Ardley following the Cardiff saga. With Johnnie Jackson also ineligible, Hameur Bouazza started wide on the left, supporting lone striker Helguson.

Chris Coleman made three changes to the team which drew 3-3 at Southampton, in mid-week, one of which was enforced with Tomasz Radzinski suffering a hip injury. Collins John took his place and Sylvain Legwinski and Liam Fontaine were also involved, as Coleman opted not to risk Papa Bouba Diop or Zesh Rehman, who was on the bench, as both are only a booking away from a suspension.

Both sides started cagily before the visitors exploded into life in the fifth minute with only the woodwork saving Watford from falling behind. Andrew Cole broke and played the ball wide to the right where Collins John fed Darlington the dummy and sped away only to see his low shot across Chamberlain cannon back off the inside of the post.

Watford responded well. Bouazza found space on the left and his cross-cum-shot almost left Edwin van der Sar red-faced before drifting over the bar.

Cole, playing as the lone forward, continued to look lively and he cut inside James Chambers but his cross from the left evaded John and bounced harmlessly through to Chamberlain.

Van der Sar was then forced to make a smart save on 12 minutes when Helguson's flick-on released Devlin wide on the right and from an acute angle, the Scottish international fired across goal but the Dutch goalkeeper got down well to gather at the second attempt.

Helguson came even closer two minutes later when he chested down Cox's long free-kick and shot on the turn but his effort drifted just wide, However, the Premiership side promptly broke up the field and scored. Chambers was harshly penalised midway in his own half and from the resultant Pembridge free-kick, Knight rose unchallenged eight yards out and headed across Chamberlain and just inside his right-hand post.

Moments later, Malbranque's clever back-heel released John in space but Chamberlain parried his powerful effort to safety.

Bouazza was looking Watford's most potent weapon and he skipped two challenges before releasing Helguson on the left. The young Frenchman continued his run into the box but the cross from Helguson was just too and skidded harmlessly off the top of his head.

Devlin then squandered a good opportunity when Ardley chased down a seemingly hopeless cause wide on the right and swung over a cross and Helguson teed up Devlin but he skewed his shot horribly and the ball was deflected to safety.

On 34 minutes Darlington did well to break up a Fulham attack and quickly broke, trading passes with Bouazza but, when he found himself with time in the penalty box, tried to find Helguson instead of shooting, which would probably have been the better option.

However, Fulham continued to look dangerous on the break. Twice DeMerit had to make vital challenges when Boa Morte looked to shoot before John latched on to a Cox header and turned Darlington, only to blaze over from 12 yards out.

The leveller did come though four minutes from half-time. From Ardley's corner on the right, Helguson's header was touched on by Cox and the ball was cleared off the line by Cole to Bouazza, who, about to shoot from less than six yards out, was hauled down by Rosenior. From the resultant penalty, Helguson coolly slotted low past Van der Sar to the keeper's left.

Fulham regained control of the match after the break and were again denied early on by the woodwork. This time it was Cole who found space on the edge of the box but his low shot struck the outside of Chamberlain's left-hand post with the keeper well beaten.

On the hour, Boa Morte was released down the left and he cut inside and shot but Chamberlain was alert enough to tip over at his near post. Malbranque then unleashed a vicious curling shot from 25 yards which flew just past Chamberlain's right-hand post.

By now Fulham were well in the ascendancy although Watford were not helping their own cause at times. Gunnarsson was robbed by Malbranque on the edge of the area and the ball was eventually fed through to Cole but Chamberlain dived bravely at his feet to gather.

However. The Hornets showed that they were still a danger at set-pieces when Bouazza headed Ardley's corner back across goal but Van der Sar did well to punch the ball away from DeMerit's head. Seconds later, Chambers crossed from the right but the unmarked Helguson ballooned a free header over the bar from the penalty spot.

The missed chances gave Watford some much-needed impetus and the arrival of Danny Webber offered further attacking options. Webber's first contribution was to wriggle his way to the by-line and cross for Bouazza at the far post but his shot was deflected just wide. The former Manchester United youngster then tested Van der Sar with a low shot from 20 yards.

Watford came close again ten minutes from time when Devlin's cross was pawed away by Van der Sar to McNamee, who saw his shot blocked into the path of Mahon but the Dutch goalkeeper blocked his effort with his legs.

Fulham responded by hitting the woodwork for a third time. John's cross was nodded by Cole into the path of Malbranque and he hit the ball on the full nounce from the edge of the area onto the face of the cross-bar.

Watford: Chamberlain; Chambers, Cox, DeMerit, Darlington; Devlin, Gunnarsson, Mahon, Ardley; Bouazza; Helguson. Substitutes: Webber for Ardley after 65 mins; McNamee for Bouazza after76 mins; Dyer for Devlin after 82 mins.

Fulham: van der Sar; Rosenior, Knight, Fontaine, Bocanegra; John, Legwinski, Pembridge, Boa Morte; Malbranque; Cole. Substitutes: Clark for Legwinski after 82 mins.

Bookings: Bocanegra for a foul on Devlin (77mins)

Attendance: 14,896 (3,611)

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay, Essex).