Watford 1-1 Leeds
- Published
Watford 1-1 Leeds
Robert Snodgrass scored an injury-time penalty as Leeds salvaged a draw against Watford in the Championship.
It was cruel for the hosts as they had missed a penalty of their own with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
Michael Kightly, on loan from Wolves, scored the opener after 28 minutes,
Marvin Sordell had his penalty chance after being fouled by Patrick Kisnorbo, but Alex McCarthy saved, and Snodgrass made Watford pay by equalising after Nyron Nosworthy fouled Mika Vayrynen.
Watford started the game much better than Leeds and were rewarded when Kightly got the better of Kisnorbo and unleashed a superb, angled effort from the edge of the area past McCarthy, who was playing his final game of a loan spell from Reading.
Leeds struggled to find their rhythm, although Snodgrass was presented with a great chance to level the scores before half-time but chipped over the bar.
It took a brilliant piece of defending from Nosworthy to deny Luciano Becchio as he looked to get on the end of Paul Connolly's teasing cross.
Sordell spurned an opportunity to double Watford's lead on the hour mark, firing over the bar when one-on-one with McCarthy.
Leeds started looking more threatening late on but Kisnorbo's foul on Sordell in the area gave the hosts a chance to extend their lead.
Sordell's kick was tipped onto the post by McCarthy before being smuggled away.
Leeds pressed on and forced a penalty in the last attack of the game - in the fifth minute of injury-time - as Nosworthy brought down substitute Vayrynen.
Snodgrass stepped up and powered it home to extend Leeds' unbeaten away run to four games.
Watford manager Sean Dyche: "I don't feel robbed because that is the reality of football; it can spin on a knife edge.
"One tiny moment and a refereeing decision changed the feel of it but the performance was good from us throughout and I am disappointed not to take all three points.
"I thought it was a soft penalty, and I have seen it again, but referees have a very tough job.
"Obviously you are always disappointed if those key decisions do not go your way but that is all it is, people can decide themselves. You have seen them given and you have seen them not given."
Leeds manager Simon Grayson: "We probably didn't deserve the point if you look at our performance.
"The big turning point was the penalty save and it gave us a chance to get something out of the game and it is great that the players had the determination to go until the end.
"Alex's loan finished today and I spoke to (Reading manager) Brian McDermott on Friday about his performances and we said we would talk after the weekend.
"I am not saying we will re-sign him, that is down to Reading and also what we decide to do as well.
"What I will say is that he has been outstanding for us and we are thankful to Reading for letting him come and he has shown all the potential and promise that he will be a top goalkeeper in the future."