Substitute Al Bangura fired home a last-gasp equaliser to earn Watford a draw after Derby had looked set fair for an unexpected Coca-Cola Championship victory at Vicarage Road.

Kevin Lisbie gave the Rams a first-half lead before Marlon King levelled.

Seventeen-year-old Giles Barnes then netted his first goal for Derby only for Bangura's late pile-driver to ensure honours finished even.

It was the home team who enjoyed plenty of early possession, although it was not until the ninth minute that Watford created a clear-cut scoring opportunity when Hameur Bouazza cut in off the left wing but saw his shot deflected wide of the Derby goal by defender Darren Moore.

Moments later, Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster was closed down by Lisbie - the Charlton striker on loan with Derby for a month.

After Lisbie had won the ball, he could only to screw a wayward shot across the penalty box - and Clarke Carlisle gleefully cleared.

The hosts were soon on the break again, though, and this time Derby goalkeeper Lee Camp was forced to save at the feet of Ashley Young.

Then, much against the run of play, it was the Rams who took the lead in the 19th minute as Adam Bolder set Lisbie free. He then brushed aside Jordan Stewart and fired across goal to see the half-saved effort trickle in off the inside of the far post.

Watford were level in the 36th minute.

Foster thumped forward a free-kick to the edge of the Derby 18-yard box where King held off Moore, turned inside and fired home a right-footed effort low into the far corner.

Watford boss Ady Boothroyd introduced Bangura as a replacement for Bouazza before the start of the second half - which opened with both sides struggling to rediscover their rhythm.

But as Watford eventually settled, King hit the post from 10 yards as chaos reigned in the Derby penalty area after Carlisle flicked on a Lloyd Doyley long throw.

Young was next to go close for the Hornets, coming in off the left wing to curl a rising effort marginally high before Paul Peschisolido replaced Lisbie in the 67th minute.

Boothroyd made a second Hornets substitution in the 80th minute, Anthony McNamee replacing Chris Eagles moments before Camp was cautioned by referee Tony Leake for blatant time-wasting.

Next Malky Mackay was carded for obstructing Paul Peschisolido on the break, but Derby could make nothing of the free-kick.

After Bolder had lifted the ball forward to Peschisolido from open play, the ball broke for Barnes who kept a level head to slide the ball past Foster in the 86th minute.

Then in the third of six minutes added on, Bangura fired from right to left across goal - and past Camp.

Teams:

Watford Foster, Doyley, Mackay, Carlisle, Stewart,Eagles (McNamee 80), Mahon, Spring, Bouazza (Bangura 45), King,Young.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Chambers, DeMerit.

Booked: Mackay, Bangura.

Goals: King 35, Bangura 90.

Derby Camp, Edworthy, Moore, Wright, Barnes, Nyatanga, Holmes,Bolder, Idiakez, Smith, Lisbie (Peschisolido 67).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Kenna, Bisgaard, Thirlwell.

Booked: Camp.

Goals: Lisbie 19, Barnes 86.

Att: 16,769

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).