SUBSTITUTE Jermain Defoe’s dramatic late leveller earned Cherries a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Watford.

The Cherries frontman fired home his first goal since December two minutes into stoppage time as the sides battled to their fifth draw from six Premier League contests.

Defoe’s leveller came after Roberto Pereyra looked to have won it early in the second half for the Hornets.

His strike put the hosts back in front after Joshua King’s penalty had cancelled out Kiko Femenia’s 13th minute opener.

Cherries were forced to make two changes for the clash.

Skipper Simon Francis was ruled out due to a hamstring injury picked up against West Bromwich Albion last time out, meaning Steve Cook captained the Dorset club.

Full-back Adam Smith was sidelined after sustaining medial ligament damage to his knee.

Charlie Daniels returned to the starting XI for what was his 100th Premier League appearance.

Winger Ryan Fraser, who played 82 minutes for Scotland against Hungary on Tuesday, was recalled after a three-game absence and deployed at right-back.

Watford, who had suffered losses at Arsenal and Liverpool in their previous two Premier League fixtures, made two alterations to their line-up.

Daryl Janmaat and Will Hughes were restored to boss Javi Gracia’s team in place of Miguel Britos and Richarlison – the latter scored when the sides met at Vitality Stadium in August.

Going in search of victories either side of the international break, Cherries came within inches of opening the scoring after four minutes.

After Callum Wilson was fouled 30 yards out, Junior Stanislas’s menacing cross found Nathan Ake, whose powerful diving header clipped the top of the crossbar.

Winger Stanislas then took aim himself when he cut inside and struck a curling effort which was palmed away Orestis Karnezis in the Hornets’ goal.

But despite having the better of the opening exchanges. Cherries fell behind on 13 minutes.

A short corner routine from the hosts allowed Jose Holebas to pick out Femenia, whose fierce strike took a wicked deflection off King and fell into the net.

With Cherries looking for an almost immediate response, Stanislas played in another free-kick on the angle but Ake failed to keep his header down.

King then spotted a chance to race in on goal after pouncing on a mistake from Adrian Mariappa, but the opportunity went begging after a last-ditch challenge from defender Sebastian Prodl.

The hosts came dangerously close to doubling their advantage midway through the first half.

After Femenia broke clear and pulled the ball back to Hughes, his strike deflected off skipper Troy Deeney and fell wide of the far post.

Hughes then got the better of Stanislas and drove at goal before being fouled. After Holebas’s initial free-kick had been blocked, his shot on the rebound was gathered by Asmir Begovic.

Two minutes before the interval, Cherries drew level from the penalty spot.

After Stanislas’s drive was parried by Karnezis, Holebas bizarrely handled when attempting to clear and referee Andy Madley, officiating his first Premier League contest, pointed to the spot.

Up stepped King, who sent the keeper the wrong way to level at 1-1.

Cherries were then rocked during first-half stoppage time as Stanislas was forced off through injury. He was replaced by Marc Pugh, who made his first appearance since the start of February.

Four minutes after the interval, Watford were back ahead.

After Deeney had shrugged off makeshift full-back Fraser, Hughes eventually teed up Pereyra to find the bottom corner of the net.

With the visitors looking to respond once more, striker Callum Wilson’s neat turn allowed him to find Jordon Ibe, but the former Liverpool man’s shot was straight down the throat of keeper Karnezis.

That was to be Ibe’s final involvement as boss Howe looked to the bench and replaced him with Jermain Defoe.

The England striker did not take long to test Karnezis. Unchallenged, his header forced the Greek stopper to tip over after Fraser’s delivery.

Defoe was to have his say on the contest however, in a dramatic twist in stoppage time.

After Steve Cook was fouled by Stefano Okaka, a long ball forward was flicked on by Ake and Defoe reacted quickest to earn Cherries a point and keep them 10th in the table.

Hornets: Karnezis; Janmaat, Mariappa, Prödl (Cathcart, 63), Holebas; Doucouré, Capoue; Femenía (Richarlison, 80), Hughes (Okaka, 75), Pereyra; Deeney.

Unused subs: Ndong, Lukebakio, Okaka, Gomes (g/k).

Booked: Holebas, Prodl, Doucoure, Okaka

Cherries: Begovic; Fraser, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas (Pugh 45+2), L Cook, Gosling, Ibe (Defoe, 67); King; Wilson (Surman, 80).

Unused subs: Simpson, B Smith, Arter, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: None

Referee: Andy Madley