Promotion-chasing Watford suffered a major setback to their hopes at Vicarage Road.

Trailing for much of the match they suddenly turned the game around with two goals in 90 seconds - only to throw it all away in the last minute with some bad defending.

However, struggling Stockport deserved their point, after taking a 23rd-minute lead when a midfield mistake by Paul Robinson presented the visitors with the ball.

Karim Fradin broke down the right and crossed into the middle where Aaron Wilbraham met it with an outstretched foot. His control took the ball beyond Darren Ward and the county striker duly slotted home.

Watford were unable to create a noteworthy chance in the first half and despite a succession of substitutions the Hornets still looked unlikely to pull a goal back.

It all changed in the 78th minute when Robert Page sent Nordin Wooter away down the right and his cross was met by Tommy Mooney, who broke between two defenders to slot in his 17th of the season.

Just over a minute later a free-kick by Peter Kennedy was deflected towards the far post, where Allan Nielsen stooped to head home and give Watford the lead.

But another error by Robinson put his captain in difficulties in the 89th minute and while Watford protested that Robert Page had been fouled the referee allowed Shefki Kuqi to turn back, draw keeper Espen Baardsen and set up Wilbraham for his second goal of the afternoon.

Teams:

Watford: Baardsen, Cox, Robinson, Page, Palmer (Kennedy 48), Ward, Vernazza (Hyde 64), Nielsen, Mooney, Helguson (Wooter 45), Smith.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Gibbs.

Booked: Smith, Kennedy.

Goals: Mooney 78, Nielsen 80.

Stockport: Jones, Flynn, Fradin, Grayson, Clark, Gibb (Connelly 45), Smith, Clare, Kuqi, Carrigan (Hurst 60), Wilbraham.

Subs Not Used: Nicholson, Woodthorpe, Dibble.

Booked: Clark.

Goals: Wilbraham 23, 90.

Att: 13,647

Ref: P Walton (Northants).