Robbie Blake climbed off the bench to earn battling Burnley a share of the spoils and dent Watford's Championship title aspirations in the process.

Blake scored twice in the last 15 minutes of a nerve-shredding finale at Turf Moor to prevent the Hornets, who are now unbeaten in their last eight games in the Championship, climbing into second spot in the table.

Blake first cancelled out Darius Henderson's opener before substitute Jordan Stewart looked to have won the game with virtually his first touch five minutes from time.

But there was still plenty of time for Blake to net his second of the afternoon with two minutes remaining to cap a bad-tempered second half.

Ade Akinbiyi went close on several occasions before the late flurry of goals and when the Burnley striker eventually found a way past goalkeeper Richard Lee early in the second half, he had an effort ruled out for offside.

Akinbiyi, clearly enjoying playing alongside the evergreen Andy Cole, drilled wide from 12 yards after 10 minutes before Steven Caldwell blazed Graham Alexander's free-kick into the stand from close range moments later.

The home side continued to dominate the opening stages and Akinbiyi planted a firm header over after rising to meet Wade Elliott's left-wing corner.

The Hornets started the day well aware victory could be enough to reclaim top spot from Stoke, and after soaking up early Burnley pressure, took the lead after 23 minutes.

Jobi McAnuff's inswinging corner eluded everyone and Henderson steered his six-yard header past the stranded Brian Jensen.

It was Henderson's 12th goal of the season and only a fine double save from Jensen prevented Watford from doubling their lead three minutes later.

Jensen first punched away Nathan Ellington's 12-yard shot before palming behind from Henderson in the same attack.

Cole shot wide from 25 yards shortly before the half-hour mark while Chris McCann and Elliott both tested Lee.

Jensen superbly denied McAnuff six minutes before the interval and then blocked Ellington's 18-yard volley on the stroke of half-time to give his side hope of a possible second-half comeback.

Three minutes after the restart, Akinbiyi appeared to have hauled the sides level when he headed Kyle Lafferty's cross home from six yards, but home celebrations were cut short as it was disallowed for offside.

Lafferty and McCann combined well on the hour but the latter failed to call Lee into action with a wayward close-range header.

But Lee had to be alert after 65 minutes to first parry Lafferty's 18-yard shot before keeping out Akinbiyi's close-range header from the rebound.

Burnley boss Owen Coyle then sent on Blake after 71 minutes and it proved an inspirational substitute as the playmaker hauled the sides level barely four minutes later.

Cole picked out Blake on the edge of the penalty area and the 31-year-old did the rest, drilling high into the top-left corner to take his tally for the season to eight goals.

Henderson then went from goalscorer to provider to help Watford go ahead for the second time late on as his cross allowed Stewart to rifle home from 12 yards.

But, with time running out, Blake earned the hosts a point with a low 12-yard drive after good work from Jon Harley.