Marvin Emnes scored on his return to the Middlesbrough starting lineup to earn them parity at the break against 10-man Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Dutch striker cancelled out Troy Deeney's first-minute effort to put Boro on level terms before Watford top-scorer Matej Vydra was sent off just prior to the break.
Deeney's opener came with a helping hand from Boro defender Andre Bikey, whose attempted back pass put Deeney in one-on-one with Jason Steele.
The England Under-21 keeper saved Deeney's initial effort but the striker converted the rebound to give the hosts an early advantage.
Emnes levelled the scores on the half-hour mark with a clever turn and shot after Steven McManus had headed down Grant Leadbitter's corner.
Boro had greater reason for optimism when Vydra was controversially dismissed for a challenge on Nicky Bailey, leaving Gianfranco Zola's side with an uphill second-half task.
