Watford have come from behind after being reduced to 10 men to earn a 2-2 draw with Derby County at the iPro Stadium in the Championship this evening.
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Derby looked the stronger of the two sides in the opening 20 minutes as George Thorne tried his luck with an early effort from outside the box before Heurelho Gomes had to save a Darren Bent effort at the post.
Despite the home side creating more chances, it was Watford who opened the scoring when Cyrus Christie failed to clear a loose ball in the box, leaving Matej Vydra a free volley past Lee Grant.
Derby had a chance to get back on level terms just a few minutes later when Will Hughes dodged a couple of challenges to set up a low drive, but his powerful strike finished just wide.
Steve McClaren's side were able to equalise before the break though as Russell charged forward, but was tripped by Marco Motta in the box, earning the defender a red card.
The incident also gave the Rams a penalty, which Bent dispatched into the top corner to cancel out the visitors' opening effort.
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Derby brought Jesse Lingard on at the start of the second half in a bid to exploit their opponents' numerical disadvantage, and the on-loan winger almost had an immediate impact as he and Tom Ince linked up, resulting in Craig Cathcart almost turning the substitute's cross into his own net.
Grant had to remain alert down the other end as Daniel Tozser headed the ball on for Troy Deeney, but the striker could only drill it wide.
The hosts were in front with less than an hour gone as Ince weaved his way into the box before lining up a low strike, curling the ball past Gomes and into the bottom corner.
Derby appeared to be cruising to victory as they pushed for a third against their 10-man opponents, but Johnny Russell's effort hit on the turn ended up wide of the near post.
The miss proved costly as the Hornets were back on level terms with quarter of an hour to go after Adlene Guedioura picked out Odion Ighalo will a well-timed low cross, leaving the striker to slot the ball past Grant.
Ince tried to restore the home side's advantage when Hughes played the ball through to him, but he rushed his shot and fired well high.
Derby desperately pressed in stoppage time as they sought a late winner, but Watford eventually managed to scramble a free kick clear, while a Hughes cross was booted away before it found his teammates.
Russell and Chris Martin both had opportunities, forcing a corner, but Gomes was ready to tip the strike from the set piece behind with the final action of the match, securing the draw.
The result moves Derby back up into the playoff places as they climb to sixth in the table, while Watford stay fourth.
Sian Cowper
