Danny Maddix scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser for Sheffield Wednesday which prevented their relegation plight from becoming a completely lost cause.

On a day when their three closest rivals were not in action, defeat would have been disastrous for Division One's bottom club but they refused to lie down and twice equalised against the FA Cup semi-finalists.

It had looked like substitute Jason Norville's first senior goal eight minutes from the end would push Wednesday closer to the trapdoor, but Maddix headed the ball home almost three minutes into stoppage time to grab what could yet prove a vital point.

Tommy Smith had atoned for missing two fine chances by giving Watford the lead in the 33rd minute. He sent two earlier efforts wide but made no mistake when drilling the ball home with his right foot from close range.

As well as Smith, Ray Lewington's side were grateful to Alec Chamberlain for being ahead at the break as he had made fine saves to deny Michael Reddy, Tony Crane and Ashley Westwood.

But the goalkeeper blotted his copybook in the second half soon after Owls manager Chris Turner had gone for broke by sending on striker Lloyd Owusu for midfielder Crane in a bid to turn around his side's fortunes.

Chamberlain, who had played so well, brought down Owusu and was booked. He then could do nothing about on-loan Portsmouth striker Lee Bradbury's powerful penalty which flew into the top left corner of the net.

Norville went on after 69 minutes to replace Michael Chopra, Watford's loan signing from Newcastle who had shown why he is so highly regarded in the north east by producing some fine touches.

And he made a rapid impact by lashing the ball home from 20 yards after a long punt upfield by Chamberlain.

But just when Watford thought they had secured their first win in nine games and boosted confidence ahead of their Cup tie against Southampton, Maddix popped up to keep Wednesday's survival hopes alive.

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Teams:

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Westwood, Maddix, Barry-Murphy, Smith, McLaren, Haslam (Donnelly 79), Reddy, Richard Evans, Crane (Owusu 57), Bradbury, Owusu (Holt 71).

Subs Not Used: Stringer, Bromby.

Booked: Reddy.

Goals: Bradbury 66 pen, Maddix 90.

Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Dyche, Brown, Robinson (Hand 47), Mahon, Glass, Vernazza, Ardley, Tommy Smith, Chopra (Norville 70).

Subs Not Used: Lee, Noel-Williams, Cook.

Booked: Robinson, Chamberlain, Glass.

Goals: Tommy Smith 33, Norville 82.

Att: 17,086

Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).