Watford Under-23s were moments away from felling the Tricky Trees of Nottingham Forest only for a last-minute equaliser to deny them a second-straight win.

First-team trio Nordin Amrabat, Camilo Zuniga and Adrian Mariappa all featured to boost their match fitness in a 1-1 draw, with the former playing the opening hour.

Harry Kewell's men were indebted to goalkeeper Charlie Bannister for saving a first-half penalty, given away 10 minutes before the break, but saved by the Hornets' stopper in style.

Forest had the ball in the net minutes after the restart but were denied by the offside flag.

But Watford had no such trouble when Carl Stewart's ball forward bypassed the visiting goalkeeper, and was turned in by a Hornets trialist.

Forest passed up several chances to equalise but just as Watford could smell victory, their hopes were dashed moments after they were reduced to 10 men when Brandon Mason was forced off injured, and all three of Kewell's substitutes had been used.

And the visitors made them pay deep into stoppage time when Toby Esder headed in a late equaliser to earn a share of the spoils.

Watford: Bannister; Rowan, Mariappa, Stevens; Zuniga (Obi, 70), Stewart (Ovenden, 65), Mukena, Mason; Amrabat (Pereira, 60), Adeyemo, Trialist.

Subs not used: Gartside, Sesay.