A goal in the 90th minute from Troy Deeney handed Watford a 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers in a remarkable Championship clash at the Macron Stadium this afternoon.
The Trotters started the game well as Adam le Fondre almost found a way through the Watford defence in the first minute, but his shot was well blocked by Craig Cathcart.
Minutes later, the striker collected a pass from Zach Clough and drilled an effort just over the bar.
The visitors came close to taking the lead when Almen Abdi raced through on goal after he latched onto a cross from the left by Ikechi Anya, but he was denied by a strong save from the legs of Andy Lonergan.
The Hornets took the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute as Odion Ighalo raided forward into the box and curled an effort beyond the reach of Lonergan into the net.
Neil Lennon's men came inches away from a response as Heurelho Gomes failed to claim the ball from a corner and Feeney powered a strike towards the net, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Ben Watson.
The Trotters continued to push forward and Gomes this time produced a fine save to tip a stinging shot from Barry Bannan over the crossbar to keep the home side at bay.
However, the pressure finally told on the Watford goal as Bolton netted their equaliser. Clough turned Feeney's cross home from close range in controversial circumstances as the visitors felt that the strike should have been disallowed for offside.
Lennon's men turned the tables on the visitors just before the break when they took the lead. Feeney again caused havoc down the wing and his low cross was diverted past Gomes by Le Fondre.
In the second half, the Hornets came out strongly and almost found a leveller when they won a free kick just outside the box, and Abdi curled an effort towards the bottom corner which was beaten away by Lonergan.
Le Fondre had two great chances to put the game beyond the visitors as Clough picked out the forward with a incisive through ball, but he failed to beat Gomes.
Minutes later, Le Fondre was put through again and this time tried to lift his effort over the keeper, but his attempt went wide.
Bolton paid for their missed chances as the visitors levelled the scores in the 69th minute, with Abdi picking up the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner, leaving Lonergan with no chance.
Lennon's side had a glorious chance to retake the lead when Le Fondre found space in the area, and he cut the ball back to Clough two yards from goal with an empty net to aim at, but he scuffed his shot and allowed Gomes to save.
The Hornets went straight up the other end and went ahead themselves as Bolton failed to clear the danger from a corner, with Joel Ekstrand on hand to head Abdi's cross into the net from close range.
However, Bolton came back once again as Clough notched his second goal of the game when Feeney teed him up in the box and he made no mistake firing past Gomes.
There was one more twist in the tale as Watford raided upfield late in the match and substitute Deeney rifled the ball past Lonergan to hand his side a thrilling victory.
Simon Sinclair
