The Irishman bagged the winner deep into stoppage time against Darlington in the Carling Cup last weekend, and was the hero again as Watford saw off Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The 19-year-old came off the bench at half time - when Watford were one-nil down to Jim Magilton's men - and inspired them to a thrilling comeback to send the Hornets up to eighth in the Championship table.

"He was our young player of the year last year," said Boothroyd after the game. "He did great things for us, but when he came back for pre-season training he wasn't in shape. But he's got himself back in shape and back in the team.

"He drives you mad at times, but at the minute I'm very pleased with him. He's sorted himself out, sorted his diet out, and he is a terrific prospect.

"If the ball goes in the box, he is such a willing and honest kid that he might just get a goal and he has done - twice in a week."

Things couldn't have begun much worse for Boothroyd's boys.

Within two minutes of the 5.20 kick off, a blunder from Watford keeper Mart Poom had put Ipswich in the driving seat.

Misjudging a backpass, the big Estonian played the ball straight to Pablo Counago who gratefully put Ipswich one up.

The Tractor Boys looked the stronger side for most of the first half, with Kevin Lisbie looking lively in attack and debutant Ivan Campo vigilant in the middle of the park.

The home side's first real chance came 26 minutes in when Jobi McAnuff found Tamas Priskin, who was unable to get his shot away inside the six yard box, going down under the challenge of Ipswich keeper Richard Wright.

Despite the vocal claims from fans and players alike referee Lee Probert waved away the protests.

Jon Harley also went close but his effort cannoned off the woodwork.
When half time came Boothroyd took off Leverstock Green-er Jordan Parkes, who was making his first league start for the club, and replaced him with the more attack-minded O'Toole.

It turned out to be an inspired decision.

The Hornets looked a far more threatening prospect in the second 45, with Priskin forcing a superb save from ex-Arsenal stopper Wright early on.

Poom made amends for his early error by keeping out a Jonathan Walters effort 10 minutes in, before John Eustace stepped up to score his first ever goal for Watford - the 29-year-old putting away Lee Williamson's excellent corner with a powerful header on 59 minutes.

The equaliser breathed new life into the Watford faithful, who in turn spurned on their beloved golden boys to push forward in search of the winner.

McAnuff twice went close, as did both Walters and substitute Jordan Rhodes for Jim Magilton's side.

But it was the Irish Under 21 international who popped up four minutes from time to settle the game with his second goal in four days.

McAnuff was again involved - the midfielder's shot was parried by Wright but fell straight into the path of the onrushing O'Toole, who nodded the ball home.

"One or two needed shaking up at half time," admitted Boothroyd afterwards. "We needed to adjust what we did tactically and thankfully we did that.

"But you have to give credit to Ipswich, they were by far the better team in the first half. I was very disappointed with our first half performance...but we dug in and we came back.

"And I would have been disappointed if we hadn't won because of the chances that we had in the match."

Boothroyd's side travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday for another league game.