A last-minute penalty from Francis Jeffers secured a point for Sheffield Wednesday as they drew 2-2 with Watford in their Championship clash.

Wednesday looked the better side in the opening period and a Marcus Tudgay header gave them the lead after a horrendous error by Hornets goalkeeper Scott Loach.

But the hosts drew level just before half-time when Mark Beevers sliced the ball into his own net.

Watford were the better of the two sides in the second half and went ahead when Jobi McAnuff headed home, only for Jeffers to hold his nerve with the late spot-kick.

Hornets boss Brendan Rodgers was forced to make one change from the side which beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 as Grzegorz Rasiak was replaced by Lee Williamson as the Hornets changed their formation to a 4-5-1.

James O'Connor came in for the Owls, replacing Darren Potter, who was suffering with a virus as they looked for their first win in four attempts.

The visitors had the first chance of the game when Tudgay struck a sweet right-footed shot from the edge of the area but it drifted wide.

Wednesday took the lead after 20 minutes when Michael Gray's corner was dropped by Loach and Tudgay had the easiest of chances to head home from two yards.

The hosts struggled to find possession as Brian Laws' side hustled for the ball and kept the pressure and tempo up after their goal.

Just before the break Watford were back on level terms after a bizarre own goal from Beevers when he hammered the ball into the corner of his own net from 25 yards.

The hosts started the second half in much better fashion after reverting their formation to the usual 4-4-2 as they brought Will Hoskins on for Williamson.

After 10 minutes of the half the Hornets had taken the lead after some good pressure.

Don Cowie delivered a deep cross from the left wing and McAnuff was at the far post to head the ball home.

O'Connor came close for the visitors but his shot from outside the area crashed wide of the post as Wednesday pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Mike Williamson thought he had extended Watford's lead in the closing stages when his header looked to have crossed the line but the referee decided otherwise.

In the fifth minute of injury time Jon Harley fouled Jermaine Johnson in the penalty area and Jeffers stepped up to smash home the penalty and secure a share of the spoils.

Teams:

Watford Loach, Doyley, Mariappa, Mike Williamson, Harley, Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Lee Williamson (Hoskins 46), Jenkins,Priskin.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Cauna, Parkes.

Booked: Mike Williamson, McAnuff.

Goals: Beevers 45 og, McAnuff 56.

Sheff Wed Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr (Simek 70), McAllister, O'Connor (Hinds 85), Gray (Boden 53), Johnson, Tudgay, Jeffers.

Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, McMenamin.

Booked: Jeffers, Wood.

Goals: Tudgay 20, Jeffers 90 pen.

Att: 16,294

Ref: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).