FootyChatter.com

Wrexham's Ollie Rathbone was making just his second appearance of the season Ollie Rathbone struck in the second minute of added time as Wrexham salvaged a point against Watford. Josh Windass notched his sixth goal of the season to give the hosts an early lead at the Stok Cae Ras. Mamadou Doumbia and Othmane Maamma struck before half time as Watford looked on course for just a second away league victory of the season. But substitute Rathbone - who had only been on the pitch for two minutes - levelled in the final stages as Phil Parkinson's men extended their unbeaten run at home in the league to eight matches. Watford drop to 13th in the table, one place and a point above Wrexham. Wrexham AFC Watford FC Having made five changes from the 2-0 loss to Hull City in midweek, Wrexham's freshness showed early on as Windass clipped the outside of the post from a free-kick after Max Cleworth blazed over minutes earlier. Watford's best opening fell to Luca Kjerrumgaard who could only drill into the side netting. But Wrexham's positive start was rewarded on 21 minutes as Matty James' lofted ball over the top found Windass who fired across goal and beyond Egil Selvik. Their lead lasted just nine minutes though as Doumbia's shot from just outside the 18-yard the box struck Cleworth before going in via the underside of the crossbar - his third goal of the season. The game became somewhat ill-tempered in the latter stages of the opening half as Kieffer Moore escaped with a booking for a challenge on Mattie Pollock. The Hornets then took the lead as captain Imran Louza's chipped cross found Marc Bola whose blocked effort trickled into the path of Maamma who beat Arthur Okonkwo from close range. It was the home fans who were then calling for a sending off following Bola's strong challenge on Ryan Longman, although the left-back, like Moore, was yellow carded. Wrexham came agonisingly close to equalising on the stroke of half time, but Callum Doyle could only head on to the crossbar, with Lewis O'Brien twice missing the target in added time. Watford started the second half on the front foot, with Okonkwo denying Kjerrumgaard before Doumbia's follow-up effort was blocked. The home side started to dominate possession though, with their best opening falling to Longman who nodded wide at the back post from James Mc Clean's cross - with Moore heading wide soon after. Shortly after Windass' deflected strike flew narrowly wide, Wrexham thought they had levelled when the ball went in via Doumbia, although Nathan Broadhead and Ben Sheaf were offside in the build-up. But Wrexham levelled in the final stages as Watford could only clear Windass' corner to Rathbone who rifled beyond Selvik on what was his first league outing of the season following a lengthy spell out through injury. Substitute Ryan Hardie almost won it at the death, but he blazed over as the points were shared. Wrexham building for 'sustainable' future - Parkinson Football stadium's £18m grant will help 'transform Wrexham', says minister With Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in attendance, it felt inevitable that the contest was due something of a Hollywood ending. Having sanctioned 13 signings in the summer transfer window, the majority owners were to witness a man who had joined the club a year earlier having the final say on proceedings. It was fitting that Rathbone was the man to bag the equaliser following his lengthy spell out with the injury he sustained during pre-season. Crucially, it ensured Wrexham did not lose back-to-back league games for the first time since the opening two matches of the season. As for Watford, their away struggles continue. They have won just once on the road in the Championship this term and almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when Wrexham pushed late on. Still, a point sees Watford go three games unbeaten, although boss Javi Gracia will be devastated that it was not a more rewarding afternoon for his troops in north Wales. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson: "I felt we worked our way back into the game in a very controlled way. "We changed the shape two or three times in the game and the lads adapted to that really well. "Of course we'd love to have won it but I felt the performance was decent. " Watford assistant manager Zigor Aranalde: "The referee made a mistake, and we drew the game because of that mistake. "Credit to the lads, they never gave up, in a difficult situation we managed to come back. "In the second half we had the game more or less under control until those last five minutes. That's life, we have to carry on. " After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 13th December 2025 at 17: 01 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Phil Parkinson Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Phil Parkinson Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Wrexham and Watford haven’t met in any competition since an April 1998 league clash won 1-0 by the Hornets with a goal from Jason Lee. In the second tier in six meetings between Wrexham and Watford, the Hornets won five and lost one between 1979-80 and 1981-82. Wrexham have won four of their last five home league matches (D1) and are unbeaten in seven (W4 D3) since a 3-1 defeat to QPR in September. Watford have won just one of their last 15 away league games (D4 L10), beating Derby 3-2 in November, while they’ve kept just three clean sheets in their last 34 on the road. This will be Phil Parkinson’s first league game against Watford since March 2009 when he was Charlton manager – he lost 3-2 at the Valley against a Hornets side managed by Brendan Rodgers. Match ends, Wrexham 2, Watford 2. Second Half ends, Wrexham 2, Watford 2. Attempt missed. Ryan Hardie (Wrexham) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Kieffer Moore with a headed pass following a set piece situation. Ben Sheaf (Wrexham) is shown the yellow card. Hector Kyprianou (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Ben Sheaf (Wrexham) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Hector Kyprianou (Watford). Attempt blocked. Mamadou Doumbia (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Imrân Louza with a cross. Attempt blocked. Mattie Pollock (Watford) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Imrân Louza with a cross. Foul by Oliver Rathbone (Wrexham). Mamadou Doumbia (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing. Offside, Wrexham. Ryan Longman is caught offside. Foul by Ben Sheaf (Wrexham). Mamadou Doumbia (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Imrân Louza (Watford) is shown the yellow card. Goal! Wrexham 2, Watford 2. Oliver Rathbone (Wrexham) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner following a corner. Corner, Wrexham. Conceded by Max Alleyne. Callum Doyle (Wrexham) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Vivaldo Semedo (Watford). Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.