It was a typical finish from the 27-year-old as he was left unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box and converted a low cross from Barry Robson to put Boro back on level terms.

They had fallen behind when Danny Graham opened the scoring five minutes before McDonald’s leveler, his third goal in the past month.

The hosts went into the break 2-1 up after Andrew Taylor reacted fastest to a parry from Scott Loach.

Watford were reduced to 10 men two minutes before the end when defender Adrian Mariappa was shown a second yellow card.

Watford boss Malcolm Mackay was sent to the stands in the dying minutes after he stepped on the pitch to collect a ball that was going out.

McDonald’s sixth league goal of the season moved Boro into 18th and nine points clear of Sheffield United, who are third from bottom, and was the perfect response to missing out on Socceroos selection during the week.

Fellow Aussie Rhys Williams put in a full shift as he continues his return from injury.