Brentford, one. Watford, two. Given that it was a game between two promotion chasing sides it is a scoreline that is unlikely to raise many eyebrows. However, it is a scoreline that doesn’t do justice to what was an enthralling game.

It had controversy, drama and a late Hornets winner. Brentford had played the entire second half with ten men after Jake Bidwell's dismissal in the 37th minute.

But they went in front when Andre Gray thumped a shot past Heurelho Gomes shortly after the interval.

Troy Deeney then missed a penalty. It felt like it might not be Watford’s night. But Odion Ighalo took centre stage. He headed an equaliser before a 90th minute strike sealed victory for the visitors.

There were two changes to the Watford side which battled past Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Gianni Munari missed the game with a toe injury whilst Tommie Hoban dropped to the bench. They were replaced in the side by Daniel Tozser and Fernando Forestieri.

Watford started in a 4-3-1-2 formation. The midfield trio consisted of Miguel Layun, Daniel Tozser and Ben Watson whilst Forestieri started behind Deeney and Ighalo.

The Bees made a bright start. Jonathan Douglas could only head over a deep corner from close range before Andre Grey tumbled in the penalty area under a challenge from Gomes.

However, the Brazilian goalkeeper managed to get enough of the ball for referee Keith Stroud to wave away the appeals.

Watford were able to see out Brentford’s frantic start and started to have more of the ball. Chances then came their way.

Deeney had a shot from distance easily saved by David Button before Forestieri’s attempted overhead kick was blocked.

Watson came closest during the Hornets’ spell of pressure. His rasping 25-yard drive went through a crowd of bodies but Button reacted superbly to tip the ball wide.

The Golden Boys had settled into the contest. They moved the ball neatly in the Brentford half and carved out half chances.

Ighalo fired wide from the edge of the penalty area and Deeney wasted an opportunity to shot when teed up by Forestieri, who then came close with a curled effort from 20 yards.

Then came the game’s turning point. Brentford has possession of the ball but Bidwell produced a poor touch and the ball rolled towards Layun. 

Bidwell lunged in on the Mexican and caught his shin. Stroud had no hesitation and showed the full-back a red card.

Bizarrely, it was Watford who were shaken by the dismissal. The lost their composure and rushed their passing.

They had a chance to regroup at half time but failed to do so. Brentford, encouraged by a hostile crowd, looked threatening on the counter attack.

And, seven minutes after the restart, the hosts went in front. The goal was conceded too easily. A long pass forward was allowed to bounce and Gray rolled Angella and advanced on goal.

The angle was tight but he thumped his shot past Gomes and into the roof of the net.

Brentford were buoyed by the goal. The decibel level inside Griffin Park again increased. Watford were rattled.

But they were given a lifeline. A hopeful cross into the Brentford penalty area stuck the arm of Dougles. The referee awarded a penalty.

Deeney stepped up but his spot kick was poor. Button went the right way and easily gathered the ball.

Jokanovic introduced Almen Abdi moments later. The Swiss midfielder brought calmness to Watford and they, finally, began to make their man advantage count.

Ikechi Anya’s pace was used effectively and he forced Button into a good reflex stop. But the Hornets were building pressure and, in the 68th minute, they levelled.

Juan Carlos Paredes received the ball down the right flank, he clipped a cross into the six yard box and Ighalo was unmarked. Given his form there was only one outcome. He headed the ball down and past Button.

The Bees goalkeeper then faced an onslaught. He denied Deeney and then excellent tipped wide an Ighalo shot.

At the other end, Brentford offered a reminder of their threat as substitute Jan Toral forced Gomes into a low stop.

However, the Watford barrage continued. Abdi saw a shot deflected into the side netting whilst Forestieri fired over from 20 yards and then had a low shot strike the foot of the post. 

The minutes ticked down. Four were added at the end of the second half. Watford needed just one of those to grab the points.

Matej Vydra, who had replaced Deeney eight minutes earlier, provided the assist. He drilled a cross into the area and Ighalo was on hand to turn the ball past Button in front of the travelling fans who erupted in noise. 

But still Brentford came close to snatching a point. Gray had their final chance, however, he could only direct a shot wide of Gomes’ post.

Moments later the full time whistle was blown. It ended an incredible game. And results elsewhere mean the Hornets closed the gap on the league leaders to six points.

Brentford: Button; Odubajo, Dean, Tarkowsk (Craig 47) Bidwell; Diagouraga, Douglas; Jota (Toral 70) Pritchard (Smith78), Dallas; Gray.

Brentford substitutes: Bonham, Saunders, Smith, Yennaris, Long.

Watford: Gomes; Paredes, Cathcart, Angella, Anya (Hoban 90); Watson (Abdi 57), Tozser; Forestieri, Layun, Ighalo; Deeney (Vydra 82).

Watford substitutes: Bond, Doyley, Ekstrand, Pudil.