Hughton sprung a surprise by matching Watford's 3-5-2 formation, with Mustapha Carayol deployed alongside O'Grady in attack.
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"I wanted to try something different today because of where we are at this moment. We felt that we could give the players a real challenge by matching the shape that they play and by giving real responsibility to the players on the pitch."I changed the system and it was testament to our performance that they changed their system mid-way through the first half.
"They started the game with two players who have got twenty goals each this season and generally they find a way of scoring: be it a scrappy goal and a fight in the box where something bounces to them, or they show that bit of composure; they did that again today.
"Once we conceded the goal – and it was a poor goal – that gave them the opportunity to work off a solid base. At 0-0 they still had to open up as it was a game where they would have felt that they had to win."
Meanwhile Hughton admitted he'd have loved to have seen striker Mackail-Smith sign off at the Amex with a goal.
"Everybody would have liked to see Craig finish with a goal. First and foremost because it would have got us back into the game but also for him as well.
"In my period of time here he has been excellent. It has been a difficult year for him in terms of getting as many games as he would have liked and then he got the injury and it took some time for Craig to get back to doing what we know he can do.
"I think his demeanour has been excellent and he has given everything he can and we wish him all the best."
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