Never-say-die spirit earns Watford a 2-2 draw at Derby County after Odion Ighalo's second-half goal

Matej Vydra was the first to reap the benefits of the Golden Boys’ hard work as he won the ball back before continuing his run and putting Watford in front midway through the first half.

Marco Motta’s poor tackle, which resulted in a red card and penalty, allowed Derby’s Darren Bent to equalise just before the break and then Tom Ince’s classy finish put the home side in front at the iPro Stadium with more than half an hour remaining.

But the absolutely superb Adlene Guedioura set up Ighalo with 15 minutes remaining and the Nigerian striker finished coolly to make it 2-2.

Watford were backed tonight by almost 2,500 of their supporters after the players paid for 18 coaches and the fans returned the favour as they provided vocal backing throughout. They were excellent.

The Hornets are now fourth in the Championship, level on points with third-placed Norwich City, one behind Bournemouth in second and two below leaders Middlesbrough.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s unpredictable team selections have become an ongoing topic of discussion among the local media and he again selected an XI few would have expected. Ighalo, Vydra and Troy Deeney were all selected as a fluid front three.

Miguel Layun was also included as part of a midfield three in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

It was obvious early on that Derby were going to look to utilise the wide areas, with full backs Craig Forsyth and Cyrus Christie pushing forward and Ince hugging the right touchline.

The Rams controlled possession in the opening ten minutes but it was the visitors who had the first half-chance, as Deeney headed Layun’s corner comfortably wide.

Derby were agonisingly close to taking the lead a quarter of an hour into the game. Moments after Bent had a strike deflected wide, Steve McClaren’s men started a corner routine which saw former Hornet George Thorne slide in Ince and Bent turned his pull-back goalwards only for Heurelho Gomes to make a superb stop from close range.

The Golden Boys did enjoy more of the ball as the half progressed and took the lead midway through the half. It was Vydra’s hard work which saw him win the ball back in the Derby half and there was a slice of fortune as Ighalo’s tackle ricocheted into the path of Vydra and his first-time shot from ten yards nestled into the bottom corner.

Watford’s fans had been in fine voice from before kick-off and they were immediately chanting ‘we are top of the league’ as the bouncing began.

Derby may not have won in their last six but they have quality throughout their side and England Under-21 international fired a warning shot narrowly wide from outside the area after cutting in from the right. Bent was also almost through on goal soon after.

There was little goalmouth action as half-time approached but the hard work of Watford’s players was almost rewarded once more as Guedioura intercepted a pass and burst forward before having a powerful drive parried clear, with Ryan Shotton clearing as Deeney was set to pounce.

Derby enjoyed one of their most positive spells of the half just before the break. Gomes was lucky Ince also missed Russell’s cross and the winger had a drive from the corner deflected narrowly over.

But the dynamics of the game changed 90 seconds before the interval as Watson gave the ball away, Ince slipped in Johnny Russell and he was brought down by Motta. The Italian could have few complaints following the poor challenge as the penalty was awarded and he was given his marching orders.

Bent emphatically found the top corner to send the teams in level on the scoreline but with the Rams enjoying a one-man advantage.

Daniel Tozser was introduced at the break in place of Vydra as the Golden Boys changed to a 4-3-1-1 formation.

Derby went close to scoring an early, and fortunate, goal at the beginning of the second period as Ince’s deflected cross was heading in before Gomes saved with his legs.

But the Hornets showed they were far from finished as Tozser’s free-kick was glanced by Deeney and Lee Grant stretched to palm the ball away from the bottom corner.

Derby enjoyed 59 per cent of the possession in the first half and, as you would expect with a man advantage, they controlled things in the second.

The Rams only had to wait 12 minutes after the restart to take the lead. Ince has been a thorn in Watford’s side on several occasions in the past and he scored his third goal in as many games against the Hornets after some excellent footwork. Ince beat a number of defenders on his way into the box and then after cutting on to his favoured left foot, fired a low shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards out.

But the Golden Boys didn’t give up. They continued to try to find a way back into the game and after a positive spell, found the equaliser.

Guedioura – who along with Deeney had been the outstanding performer – produced an inch-perfect ball to find Ighalo inside the area and his shot with the outside of his boot beat Grant to make it 2-2.

Jokanovic immediately introduced Matthew Connolly in place of Ighalo for his debut and the Golden Boys went to a 5-3-1 formation as they attempted to find the resilience needed to secure at least a point.

The Rams almost regained their lead immediately though as Ighalo lost possession and Bent went through one-on-one. Fortunately for the visitors, Gomes made an excellent stop with his legs.

Derby talisman Chris Martin was also brought on and moments later Ince shot over from the edge of the area.

The Rams were heaping the pressure on.

Hendrick reached the byline and Gomes was unable to cut out his pull-back but Angella was there to clear.

There were six minutes of injury-time and they were some of the most dramatic of the season.

First Gomes flapped at a deep cross and the ball had to be scrambled clear. Then Ince took a tumble in the box under minimal pressure from Guedioura.

Derby were appealing for a penalty once more when they claimed a goal-bound shot hit Angella’s arm and there were a host of corners. And Richard Keogh would have scored with the last touch of the match had Gomes not palmed his header over the bar.

It may only be a solitary point but the travelling fans celebrated the final whistle like it signalled a victory. And so they should have too. It was a fantastic effort from their players tonight.

Derby County line-up: Grant; Christie (Lingard HT), Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth; Thorne (Hendrick 29), Hughes, Bryson (Martin 76); Ince, Russell, Bent.

Subs not used: Roos, Albentosa, Warnock, Ward.

Watford line-up: Gomes; Motta, Cathcart, Angella, Hoban; Layun (Anya 63), Watson, Guedioura; Ighalo (Connolly 78); Deeney, Vydra (Tozser HT).

Subs not used: Munari, Doyley, Pudil.

Referee: Kevin Friend.

Attendance: 31,748 (2,457).