Heidar Helguson capped his first start of the season for Watford by grabbing the equaliser in a pulsating draw against ten-man Crystal Palace.

Wayne Routledge's red card after 76 minutes was the last act of an afternoon of drama at Vicarage Road.

Helguson has just reutnred from a long-term injury, but he struck just after half-time to snatch a share of the points after both sides got goals courtesy of inept defending.

Palace went in at half-time 3-2 up through Hayden Mullins (2) and Danny Granville, with Watford replying through Neal Ardley and Micah Hyde.

But their day was spoilt by teenager Routledge's dismissal for two bookable offences late on.

The 17-year-old had been rightly booked for a first half foul on Paul Robinson but his second for time-wasting looked harsh.

Watford were given a golden opportunity to open the scores after 13 minutes when Helguson went down under the challenge of Tony Popovic, but Danny Webber struck the crossbar from the spot-kick.

Palace punished his wastefulness by taking the lead after a flowing move in the 24th minute.

Steven Thomson robbed Jamie Hand, who trod on the ball on the edge of the Watford box, and played in Mullins, who exchanged passes with Dougie Freedman before firing home from close range.

Four minutes later, the home side were level. Mullins brought down Hyde, and Ardley curled a 25-yard free-kick worthy of David Beckham into the top corner.

Hyde then put Watford 2-1 up after 38 minutes, when Allan Nielsen's overhead kick from Lloyd Doyley's cross fell kindly for him in front of goal.

But the Eagles struck back almost immediately from Danny Butterfield's corner, with Granville stooping to head home from close range.

And Mullins grabbed a second in first half injury time from an Andrew Johnson cross to make it 3-2.

But the scoring continued straight after the break, with Helguson nodding in a Webber cross unmarked at the far post to equalise for Watford.

Watford: Chamberlain, Doyley, Dyche, Cox, Robinson, Ardley, Hyde, Hand, Nielsen, Helguson, Webber. Subs: Glass, McNamee, Foley, Gayle, Lee.

Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Fleming, Popovic, Powell, Granville, Routledge, Mullins, Thomson, Butterfield, Johnson, Freedman. Subs: Gray, Black, Austin, Cronin, Adebola.

Referee: A Hall (West Midlands)