Georges Santos scored a bizarre own-goal to hand promotion-chasing Watford victory over 10-man QPR, who have now gone 10 matches without a win.

With the game drifting towards a draw, Santos headed into his own net in the 78th minute after a mix-up with goalkeeper Paul Jones to ensure Watford will go into next month's Coca-Cola Championship play-offs in confident mood.

The game was marred somewhat by an incident midway through the second half, when a full plastic bottle was thrown from a stand containing QPR fans and narrowly missed Watford defender Jordan Stewart.

Most of the match's talking points came in a six-minute spell before half-time: Marc Nygaard gave Rangers the lead from the penalty spot but, after Ashley Young had equalised for the visitors, the Dane was sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes later.

That period was in stark contrast to the first 35 minutes, which contained virtually no goalmouth action. Only Stewart's right-wing corner that hit the QPR post brought the crowd to its feet.

But it was Rangers who went in front six minutes before the break Lloyd Doyley brought down ex-Watford man Lee Cook inside the area, and Nygaard steered his spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, before being booked for removing his shirt in celebration.

Rangers were inches from going 2-0 up shortly afterwards, when Paul Furlong raced onto a long pass from Santos and lobbed goalkeeper Ben Foster expertly - only to see his effort rebound off the crossbar, which allowed Foster to collect.

Almost immediately, Watford equalised when Young collected Foster's clearance on the edge of the penalty area and curled a fantastic shot into the top-right corner for his first goal since mid-February.

The match had suddenly exploded into life, and in the 44th minute Nygaard was sent off for a second bookable offence for his vehement protests after team-mate Dan Shittu had been left clutching his face following an aerial tangle with Young.

The sending-off just before half-time had tested Rangers fans' tempers, and 12 minutes into the second half a full plastic bottle was launched from the stands towards Stewart as he prepared to take a free-kick.

The missile just missed the former Leicester player, and stewards moved into the area to quell the tension.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw, but Watford won it 12 minutes from time when Santos, under little pressure, nodded a long clearance past on-rushing goalkeeper Jones.

Teams:

QPR Paul Jones, Bignot (Donnelly 81), Shittu, Santos,Milanese, Ainsworth, Bailey, Lomas (Ray Jones 83), Cook,Furlong, Nygaard.

Subs Not Used: Cole, Evatt, Howell.

Sent Off: Nygaard (44).

Booked: Nygaard.

Goals: Nygaard 39 pen.

Watford Foster, Doyley, Mackay, Carlisle (McNamee 38),DeMerit, Stewart, Chambers, Bangura, Spring (Mariappa 83),Young, Henderson (Robinson 45).

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Eagles.

Booked: Henderson, DeMerit.

Goals: Young 42, Santos 78 og.

Att: 16,152

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).