Watford 1 West Brom 1: Full time report
Chris Brunt's dramatic 95th-minute equaliser cancelled out Danny Graham's stunning late strike to ensure promotion-chasing West Brom and relegation-threatened Watford shared the spoils in a clash that had implications at both ends of the Coca-Cola Championship.
A scrappy encounter at a blustery Vicarage Road looked to be heading towards stalemate until Graham lashed home a superb 25-yard effort, but Brunt popped up to spoil the party and head home from close range after six minutes of injury time had been shown.
Malky Mackay's side, who had seen Jon Harley sent off for a second bookable offence minutes prior to their opener, are now out of the bottom three by just goal difference alone after results elsewhere.
Mackay will also be seriously concerned by what appeared to be a season-ending leg injury for Manchester United's on-loan youngster Tom Cleverley.
Albion went into the game knowing victory for them combined with a draw or defeat for third-placed Nottingham Forest at home to Cardiff would secure their immediate return to the Barclays Premier League.
And although automatic promotion was not secured today, it does seem to be a case of if and not when for the Black Country club.
Roberto Di Matteo was able to rotate his ranks and call upon established duo Giles Barnes and Roman Bednar, while Gianni Zuiverloon also came in at right-back for the injured Steven Reid.
In stark contrast, out-of-sorts Watford were without the key trio of Henri Lansbury, Heidar Helguson and Martin Taylor due to suspension and injury.
And despite Albion`s impending promotion party, the hosts were quick to remind the visitors of their desire for all three points at the other end of the table.
Baggies keeper Scott Carson was forced to make a fine point-blank save from Adrian Mariappa before Mackay saw his selection problems worsen with the early loss of Lloyd Doyley to injury.
