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Substitute Stuart Armstrong struck late to earn Southampton an FA Cup fourth-round replay with a draw at Championship rivals Watford.
Matheus Martins’ early free-kick looked enough for the home side until the Scots equalised in the 89th minute.
The Saints, who arrived at Vicarage Road unbeaten in 21 games, have struggled to reach their same old highs after making a series of changes.
Watford had created the better chances but failed to put the game to bed.
The hosts scored five minutes after a quick reflection from Martins. He fired a low free kick onto the post from the left corner of the area, giving Joe Lumley no chance.
It was a disjointed move by Russell Martin, but they came close when Carlos Alcaraz headed a free-kick over the crossbar.
The game lacked fluidity and intensity overall, however, as halftime approached, the Hornets nearly doubled their lead when Vakoun Bayo fired wide in stoppage time.
Watford are resting on their laurels at the start of the second half, with Jack Stephens clearing the line.
The break did not have the desired effect for Southampton, and Sekou Mara’s docile effort, which failed to stop Daniel Bachmann in the Watford goal, summed up their short-sightedness.
Alcaraz dutifully headed in moments after Martins hit the post, inches from his moment in the game. He controlled a corner from the edge of the net before a bouncing volley left Lumley blocked.
Bachmann was eventually forced to make a save after a hard long-range shot from Mason Holgate. The Saints then brought in Stuart Armstrong, Adam Armstrong, Will Smallbone and Ryan Fraser and upped their intensity.
And the former made Watford pay when he picked up the ball on the edge of the area before firing at the near post to send the travelling fans into a frenzy.
More to come.