SAINTS were seconds from recording a statement win at the home of playoff-chasing Watford before a last-gasp leveller saw the tie finish 1-1.

The hosts should have been kicking themselves to not be ahead at Vicarage Road after Gavin Bazunu was instrumental before and after the break.

Adams netted his first goal since August shortly after Bazunu's second save to turn the atmosphere and momentum on its head.

Russell Martin's side produced a professional performance to see out the majority of eight minutes added time but substitute Rhys Healey struck in the 97th minute. 

Saints were without midfield mainstay Flynn Downes through illness and it meant a first start for Joe Aribo since the defeat to Ipswich Town in September.

Northern Ireland international Shea Charles, who this week told the Daily Echo that Downes was someone for him to look up to, stepped back into the number six role. 

Martin made no other changes following clean sheet victories against both Bristol City and Cardiff City last week. 

Saints travelled knowing they were unbeaten in eight at Vicarage Road but that Valerien Ismael's charges had only lost once since October - and that was to Leicester City.

Watford would prove to be tough opposition, limiting Saints to just one shot in the entire first 45 minutes - Adam Armstrong flicked over from close range.

The Hornets pummelled the Saints box with balls in from wide areas, including a Ken Sema free-kick that saw the hosts hit the post in a box scramble.

The linesman's flag was up for that one anyway but only Gavin Bazunu denied Sema one-on-one as Watford upped the ante ahead of the break.

It was the Irishman and Jan Bednarek's determined defending to thank for the deadlock, as Martin switched a struggling Charly Alcaraz for Ryan Fraser.

Bazunu was alert again to turn the ball behind the post as Asprilla was on target from close range and it was his composure on the ball that ignited the breakthrough.

From back to front, Fraser's pinpoint lofted cross was nodded down to Adams by strike partner Armstrong for the Scot to powerfully finish from close range against the run of play. 

Fraser had a shot saved by Ben Hamer as Saints broke three versus three but did not have the legs to really turn the screw, entering the final 15 minutes. 

Saints had to control the game through a hostile atmosphere, as Stuart Armstrong took his time to clap the fans on his way off and was duly booked for doing so.

An injury to Fraser just seconds after took the sting out of the Hornets on the pitch but not in the stands, as they remonstrated their point. 

The hosts were rewarded for their perseverance as Healey latched onto a long ball knocked down beyond the head of Harwood-Bellis, firing a low shot that squirmed through Bazunu. 

Watford: Hamer; Sierralta, Hoedt, Porteous, Lewis (Martins, 79), Rajovic (Ince, 68), Kone (Chakvetadze, 79), Sema, Asprilla (Bayo, 68), Kayembe (Healey, 90), Andrews.

Unused subs: Bachmann, Louza, Pollock, Dele-Bashiru. 

Booked: Kone, Porteous, Hoedt.

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Charles, Aribo (Bree, 84) S Armstrong (Smallbone, 84); Alcaraz (Fraser, h-t), Adams (Mara, 79), A Armstrong.

Unused subs: Lumley, Stephens, Holgate, Edozie, Bragg.

Booked: A Armstrong, Charles, S Armstrong. 

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.