Ross McCormack scored a dramatic stoppage-time penalty as Cardiff snatched a last-gasp win over Watford to move up to fifth in the Coca-Cola Championship.

McCormack - who had missed a golden chance at the start of the second half - kept his cool to net from the spot after Ross Jenkins was adjudged to have handled Roger Johnson's header.

The Hornets had gone ahead through Tommy Smith's penalty but their lead was short-lived as Jay Bothroyd's well-taken strike drew the home side level.

The home side dominated proceedings from thereon in but were unable to find a breakthrough until the very last minute of stoppage time when the impressive McCormack won it from the spot.

It was in-form Watford who had the first sight of goal with less than 90 seconds on the clock, but Don Cowie's 25-yard effort was well held by Stuart Taylor.

Cardiff also had an early chance but McCormack was just unable to feed strike partner Bothroyd.

And the visitors went ahead after a brilliant Jobi McAnuff run was halted by Stephen McPhail's trip in the box and Smith stepped up to score from the spot.

The Bluebirds went straight on the offensive after falling behind and Joe Ledley tested Scott Loach before the leveller came.

Nice build-up from the home side ended with Chris Burke crossing and after a period of pinball in the box, the ball fell to Bothroyd, who lashed home his 10th goal of the season.

Bothroyd combined well with Ledley to send him away down the left but McCormack was just unable to convert the cross as the game continued at a frenetic pace.

McCormack then fired wide at the near post from a Kevin McNaughton free-kick, before Cowie sent a free-kick of his own wide of the target.

The lively McCormack had a great chance in the early stages of the second half but headed Tony Capaldi's cross wide before half-time sub Peter Whittingham crossed for Johnson but his header was saved by Loach.

The second half was far from the fast-paced action of the opening period, but it was the home side who were still very much in the ascendancy.

But they had to wait until the 70th minute for another opening when Ledley crossed for Johnson, but the centre-back's header was wide of the target.

Dave Jones threw on Michael Chopra in place of Burke in a bid to find the winner, but they were almost caught out at the other end when McAnuff fed Tamas Priskin but he was penalised for a foul on Johnson.

Ledley had a shot saved by Loach before a McCormack free-kick was blocked, but the Hornets almost snatched it when Jenkins crossed for Jack Cork, but he headed wide of the target.

Time was almost up when McCormack fired a goalbound shot which Loach superbly tipped over but from the resulting corner, Jenkins handled Johnson's header and referee Andy Hall pointed at the spot for McCormack to win it.

Teams

Cardiff Stuart Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson,Capaldi, Parry (Whittingham 46), McPhail, Ledley,Burke (Chopra 74), Bothroyd, McCormack.

Subs Not Used: Rae, Eddie Johnson, Kennedy.

Booked: McNaughton, McCormack.

Goals: Bothroyd 14, McCormack 90 pen.

Watford Loach, Doyley, DeMerit, Mike Williamson, Mariappa,Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Jenkins, Smith, Priskin.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Lee Williamson, Hoskins, Cauna.

Booked: Cork, Mariappa, McAnuff, DeMerit.

Goals: Smith 10 pen.

Att: 17,899

Ref: Andy Hall (W Midlands).