A disgraceful decision from referee Lee Probert ensured Watford played all-bar 25 seconds of tonight’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth with ten men, in a result which increased the gap between the Hornets and the league leaders to seven points.

A win tonight would have moved Watford to within a point of the Championship’s top two teams but their hopes of victory suffered a critical blow when Gabriele Angella fouled Callum Wilson after 25 seconds and was subsequently dismissed.

Defender Craig Cathcart was closer to his own goal than Wilson when the foul was made and more importantly, the striker would not have reached the ball ahead of Gomes.

However, Probert – the man who refereed last season’s FA Cup final but has only officiated five times since returning from a back injury in December, all of which were outside the top flight – sent off Angella, leaving the visitors with an uphill struggle.

And a goal in each half from Yann Kermorgant and then Matt Ritchie ensured the Hornets players had nothing to show for their gutsy display.

The Golden Boys made two changes to their starting line-up, as Gianni Munari replaced Matej Vydra and Ben Watson came in for Juan Carlos Paredes, with Miguel Layun switching to right wing-back.

They begun the contest in a 3-5-2 formation but Angella’s early dismissal resulted in the visitors resorting to a 4-1-2-2 formation, as Ikechi Anya and Layun dropped to full backs.

The Hornets didn’t let the early sense of injustice hamper their spirit as they started the better of the two teams. Their work-rate and desire contributed to a host of errors from Eddie Howe’s men as there was little evidence of the one-man advantage.

Odion Ighalo had a blocked effort from inside the area, a wayward strike from distance and Munari thumped a low drive which was deflected wide inside the opening 18 minutes.

Bournemouth had chances. They headed over immediately after Angella’s dismissal, Yann Kermorgant also headed wide and Matt Ritchie sliced an effort from the corner of the area, but they didn’t trouble Hornets’ goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in the opening quarter.

The Golden Boys were fortunate not to be punished from poor defending in the 25th minute though. Charlie Daniels’ cross from the left was not blocked and Kermorgant was completely unmarked as he allowed to smash a shot from ten yards against the crossbar. Layun was also fortunate not to be punished moments later when he attempted to beat his man inside his own area.

But Deeney’s bustling run immediately afterwards lifted the visiting fans once more and created their next chance. Daniel Tozser’s in-swinging free-kick was headed against the defender by Ighalo and then Watson’s run into the box ended with Munari stabbing wide.

Yet the league leaders scored the game’s first goal ten minutes before the break after Craig Cathcart kicked the back of Wilson’s leg and a penalty was awarded. Kermorgant lifted the ball into the middle of the goal for 1-0.

Bournemouth enjoyed more of the game after the opener. Wilson had a header flick the roof of the net and Gomes held on to Harry Arter’s low shot to the near post.

However, the deficit was only one at the break and Jokanovic used the interval to make a substitution and change the formation; as Daniel Pudil was introduced to left back as part of a 4-3-2 formation, with Anya switching to right back and Layun moving into the midfield.

Ritchie had another effort from distance go narrowly wide early into the second half but Watford showed they were still in the contest, as Tozser had a deflected shot saved and the visitors enjoyed a period of pressure.

But the lead was extended to two just before the hour mark as Bournemouth worked the ball to the right and Ritchie fired a low shot underneath Gomes.

It didn’t dampen the spirits or the voices of the travelling fans though as they continued to sing passionately, trying to lift their side.

The full backs of Bournemouth pushed forward for most of the contest as The Cherries looked to utilise their man advantage and Gomes had to save when Francis had a shot from a similar position to Ritchie’s goal.

Like the first period, the home team grew into the second half and Kermorgant brought the best of Gomes with a close-range header which was tipped wide. The Brazilian goalkeeper also needed to hold on to Francis’ shot from 25 yards.

The fresh legs of Vydra were introduced with 22 minutes remaining but the pressure continued as Hoban was outmuscled wide right and Gomes saved as Wilson looked to shoot from a tight angle.

Ritchie was next to have an effort from outside the area saved as Watford struggled to retain possession and build attacks.

Marc Pugh forced Gomes into another stop before the end.

Watford’s players may leave Goldsands Stadium empty-handed tonight but when they came to recognise their fans after the match, they were greeted with louder cheers than after the recent 7-2 and 5-0 wins. It was a passionate and whole-hearted display in a contest which was ultimately ruined by an awful decision in the opening minute. Hopefully Probert’s actions don’t count for anything come May 2.

Bournemouth: Boruc; Francis, Elphick Cook, Daniels; Ritchie (Smith 88), Arter, Surman, Pugh; Kermorgant (O’Kane 77), Wilson (Pitman 90+4).

Subs: Camp, Ward, Stanislas, Fraser.

Watford line-up: Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Hoban; Layun, Munari (Pudil 45), Watson, Tozser, Anya; Deeney (Mensah 90+3), Ighalo (Vydra 68).

Subs: Bond, Doyley, Savic, Byers.

Referee: Lee Probert.

Attendance: 10,904 (1,391 away).