Sky Bet Championship: Watford beat 10-man Brentford with stoppage-time goal

Odion Ighalo condemned battling Brentford to a cruel 2-1 defeat with a stoppage-time winner for Watford.

The Bees had showed no signs of letting the uncertainty surrounding their manager derail their promotion bid with a gutsy display on a day of drama on and off the field at Griffin Park.

They had to play the entire second half with 10 men but still took the lead through Andre Gray while goalkeeper David Button saved a penalty from Troy Deeney.

But in-form striker Ighalo hauled Watford level and then hit a last-gasp winner to take his goal tally to 11 in his last seven outings.

Brentford kicked off flying high in fourth place but amid reports the club plan to replace manager Mark Warburton at the end of the season - even if they achieve what would be a remarkable promotion to the top flight.

The west Londoners responded to the rumours by issuing a statement insisting Warburton "will continue to lead the club in its push for Premier League football", yet tellingly making no mention of what happens if and when they get there.

Nevertheless, the Brentford fans sang Warburton's name as he emerged from the tunnel and the team pointedly celebrated Gray's goal on the touchline with their boss.

The Brentford players did not initially appear to have been affected by the day's events as they tore at Watford from the first whistle.

Jonathan Douglas headed Jota's corner narrowly over in the opening seconds before Heurelho Gomes had to save at the feet of Gray.

But Watford, themselves well in the promotion mix, soon settled and Button was forced into the first of a string of fine saves, low to his right to keep out Ben Watson's deflected effort.

Brentford's task became all the more difficult in the 37th minute when left-back Jake Bidwell needlessly lunged in on Miguel Layun and was shown a straight red card.

Yet it was the 10 men who took the lead in the 53rd minute when Gray raced onto a long ball over the top and crashed his angled shot into the top corner.

Three minutes later Bees captain Jonathan Douglas was penalised for handball, although he claimed the ball hit his shoulder, but Button guessed correctly to smother Deeney's weak penalty.

Yet Watford did manage an equaliser in the 68th minute when Ighalo continued his amazing goalscoring streak by heading in Juan Carlos Parades' cross.

The Hornets sensed they could grab a winner but were twice denied by more heroics from Button, who saved superbly from Deeney and Ighalo.

But Ighalo did snatch victory at the death when he volleyed in a pass from Matej Vydra to break Brentford hearts.