Seconds. That was all that stood between Watford and victory over league leaders Burnley before they suffered the heartbreak of conceding a scrambled equaliser deep into stoppage time.

The Hornets had spent a lot of time defending, more so in the second half having taken the lead in the 31st minute through a neat near-post finish from skipper Joao Pedro.

The Brazilian was only wearing the armband after Tom Cleverley was injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced before kick-off by Ken Sema.

There was no doubt the home side dominated for long periods and as the game wore on it became wave after wave of Burnley attacks.

However, although Daniel Bachmann made an excellent save in each half, it wasn’t like he was being peppered with shots from all angles.

Indeed, the Hornets maybe should have done a bit more on the break as they caught the home side pushing forward in the second half.

It seemed, though, like Watford were going to hand Burnley their first home defeat of the season as the hosts were looking like they had run out of ideas.

But then, with whistles emanating loudly from the away fans, one good set piece, one effort against the upright and a toe-poke to the loose ball and three points turned into one.

It was a result that ended Burnley’s run of 10 straight league wins, but that was scant consolation.

Watford battled, they ran themselves into the ground, but still they end up with just one point and that means just a single win in six league outings.

Cleverley was due to make his first start since August, but was injured in the warm-up and Sema took his place. Keinan Davis returned to the starting line-up.

Matheus Martins and Henrique Araujo dropped to the bench, where Imran Louza was involved for the second consecutive game after injury.

There was an almighty scare inside the first minute as Gudmundsson got behind the Watford defence and into the box. Bachmann flew off his line to block, and then when Barnes fired the follow-up goalwards the Watford keeper tipped it onto the bar.

Sema’s free-kick eluded both Porteous and Kone before Roberts cut in from the left and shot over the bar.

Burnley were enjoying the lion’s share of possession but Watford were getting men behind the ball and pressing the home defence when they got a sniff of nicking the ball.

It was that closing down which played a part in them taking the lead in the 31st minute.

A back pass to Muric was chased down by both Davis and Pedro. The keeper took longer than he had and only sliced the ball up in the air on the edge of the box.

Davis gathered the loose ball and played it left to Sema. He looked up and drilled a low cross to the near post where Pedro turned it in.

That visibly shook Burnley and they took a while to get back on top of possession, during which time Kone fed Pedro who shot over from the edge of the box.

Three minutes before the break Roberts went away down the left, cut in and hit a low shot which Bachmann held.

Burnley made a change at half-time, replacing keeper Muric with Peacock-Farrell.

The second half was bossed by the home side in terms of possession and attacks, but actual chances on goal were limited.

Eight minutes after the restart Gudmundsson let fly from 25 yards but Bachmann was right behind it.

In the 62nd minute the Watford keeper made an outstanding reaction save. Gudmundsson’s corner was flicked on by Barnes, Tella prodded goalwards from only a few yards but Bachmann managed to block.

Five minutes from the end Twine hammered a 30-yard free kick over the wall but also over the bar.

When the referee signalled six minutes of stoppage time there was a feeling Burnley would get one more chance – it, and the equaliser, came four minutes into stoppage time.

A corner was flicked on, Foster stopped to head the ball against the post, it ran loose and Obafemi pounced to poke it into the net from only a couple of yards.

Watford: Bachmann; Gaspar, Porteous, Hoedt, Kamara; Choudhury, Kone (Louza 74); Sema (Araujo 68), Pedro (Kabasele 86), Sarr; Davis (Martins 68). Subs: Hamer, Morris, Assombalonga