Watford are just 90 minutes from a return to the top flight for the first time in 11 years after reaching the play-off final in the most heartbreaking fashion.

Hornets manager Graham Taylor is now just a Wembley showdown against Bolton away from masterminding the seventh promotion of his career and the second in successive seasons.

But after 120 nerve-wracking minutes, it eventually took 16 penalties to decide the tie with Watford keeper Alec Chamberlain the hero and City midfielder Chris Holland - number 13 after 13 successful spot-kicks - the lonely, forlorn figure.

Taylor had gone into this game having prepared meticulously as his side had practised spot-kicks at the end of their practice sessions since Sunday's first leg.

Watford were protecting a slender 1-0 advantage afforded to them by former Zaire international Michel Ngonge in the first leg at Vicarage Road.

But that lead was wiped out after just 110 seconds as fellow African Dele Adebola, Birmingham's giant Nigerian striker, levelled the aggregate scores on the night.

Adebola was in the starting line up for the first time in six matches following a series of niggly injuries and despite not being 100% fit.

But as City boss Trevor Francis was determined to go gunning for glory, so it ensured the 23-year-old forward was in the starting line up from the first whistle.

He made an instant impact, plundering his 17th goal of the season, but probably the most bizarre of his career.

As Watford attempted to clear a second minute corner, the ball fell to Bryan Hughes who pumped a header back into the danger zone.

Peter Ndlovu looped a chance over the advancing defence and Chamberlain, only to see the ball strike the left hand post.

As the ball trickled across the goal line Watford centre-back Steve Palmer attempted to clear, but he only succeeded in striking the hulking figure of Adebola - but more importantly his elbow.

However, the lack of ideas from both sides, not least because of the nerves and the tension, lead to a turgid stalemate until 10 minutes from the end of normal time.

There was a flurry of yellow cards, including a red for Birmingham centre-back David Holdsworth, until City desperately strived for the game winner.

But they were denied by the outstanding Chamberlain who pulled off several outstanding stops, as well as two in injury time, to finally send the game into the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

After Peter Kennedy had blazed home the first, former Watford striker Paul Furlong saw his effort saved by Chamberlain.

But the situation was levelled with the very next 12 yarder as Watford's Steve Palmer struck his effort wide.

The next 12 penalties all found their target, with Richard Johnson, Darren Bazeley, Micah Hyde, Robert Page, Allan Smart and Alon Hazan all finding the net for Watford.

While for the Blues, Martin Grainger, Gary Rowett, Lee Bradbury, Hughes, Darren Purse, and even keeper Kevin Poole were the heroes for the home side.

But then it came down to poor Holland, whose right foot effort lacked any power, allowing Chamberlain to save with ease and to spark emotions on both sides of the fence.

For Birmingham there were tears of sadness and heads in hands, while for Watford it was tears of joy and heads held high.

While Watford boss Taylor can go on to a Wembley final with Bolton, for Birmingham boss Francis he now faces the most important decision of his career.

After an illustrious playing career at club and international level, and following three years in charge at St Andrews, Francis may decide that this is the end of the road for him.

His 12 months rolling contract is again up for renewal, but a lot will depend on just how much money he is given by the City board to spend on transfers in a bid to end Birmingham's 13-year exile outside the top flight.

Teams

Birmingham: Poole, Rowett, Grainger, Adebola (Holland 64), Holdsworth, Johnson, McCarthy (Purse 57), O'Connor (Bradbury 99), Furlong, Hughes, Ndlovu.Sent Off: Holdsworth (54).

Booked: Holdsworth, Grainger.

Goals: Adebola 2.

Watford: Chamberlain, Bazeley, Kennedy, Page, Palmer, Gibbs, Ngonge (Smart 87), Hyde, Mooney, Johnson, Wright (Hazan 87).

Subs Not Used: Day.

Booked: Palmer, Kennedy, Ngonge, Gibbs, Smart.

Agg (1-1) Watford win 7-6 on penalties

Att: 29,100

Ref: D Pugh (Wirral).