Aji Alese scored the first of two Sunderland equalisers
Jewison Bennette's late equaliser earned Sunderland a draw at Vicarage Road to deny Watford a fourth home win of the season.
Keinan Davis tapped in to put the Hornets ahead before Aji Alese equalised when his left-footed strike was judged to have crossed the line despite Hamza Choudhury's attempted clearance.
Ex-Hornet Luke O'Nien headed an attempted clearance into his own net to restore Watford's lead before Sunderland's Jack Clarke saw a fine finish ruled out for offside.
But Bennette rewarded the visitors' late onslaught when he controlled a ball on his chest and lashed in a low shot.
- Relive Saturday's EFL action
It looked like it could be Watford's day when Leon Dajaku dragged a golden chance wide for the visitors when one-on-one, but Bennette's strike, with two minutes left, held the hosts to a fifth draw of the season.
The point moved Sunderland up to fifth and within five points of second-placed Norwich while the Hornets, who have only one win in their past seven outings, climb to ninth.
The Hornets were kept largely quiet in the first half by a Black Cats defence which had conceded just twice in five matches, although Anthony Patterson made a fine reflex save from Joao Pedro's early volley.
Watford boss Rob Edwards made five changes, including a first start for Aston Villa loanee Davis who put the Hornets ahead when Patterson palmed Hassane Kamara's cross into his path.
Sunderland were missing two key strikers after Ellis Simms joined Ross Stewart on the sidelines in midweek, but responded well, Clarke having a penalty appeal waved away before his shot was parried to Alese, whose leveller was confirmed by goalline technology.
The visitors have picked up 10 points on the road this season, but again only came to life when falling behind, O'Nien's blunder following soon after Yaser Asprilla had forced a low save from Patterson.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsWatford
Formation 3-4-1-2
1Bachmann15Cathcart5Troost-Ekong30Hause10João Pedro4Choudhury39Kayembe14Kamara12Sema7Davis18Asprilla
- 1Bachmann15CathcartSubstituted forKabaseleat 84'minutes5Troost-Ekong30Hause10João Pedro4Choudhury39Kayembe14KamaraSubstituted forBayoat 73'minutes12Sema7DavisSubstituted forGoslingat 81'minutes18Asprilla
Substitutes
- 16Gosling19Bayo27Kabasele28Kalu31Sierralta35Okoye36Hungbo
Sunderland
Formation 4-4-2
1Patterson11Gooch13O'Nien6Batth42Alese10Roberts24Neil4Evans20Clarke8Embleton21Pritchard
- 1Patterson11Gooch13O'Nien6Batth42Alese10RobertsBooked at 59mins24NeilSubstituted forDajakuat 72'minutes4EvansBooked at 61minsSubstituted forMateteat 79'minutesBooked at 90mins20ClarkeSubstituted forBennetteat 73'minutesBooked at 88mins8EmbletonSubstituted forDialloat 63'minutes21PritchardSubstituted forBaat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Dajaku12Bass16Diallo17Ba19Bennette27Matete32Hume
Referee:Robert MadleyAttendance:19,767Match StatsHome TeamWatfordAway TeamSunderlandPossessionHome56%Away44%ShotsHome13Away12Shots on TargetHome4Away5CornersHome8Away3FoulsHome8Away6Live TextPost update
Match ends, Watford 2, Sunderland 2.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Watford 2, Sunderland 2.
90'+5'Booking
Jay Matete (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+4'Post update
Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Jay Matete (Sunderland).
90'+3'Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Ken Sema.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Danny Batth (Sunderland) header from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Patrick Roberts with a cross following a set piece situation.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Edo Kayembe (Watford).
90'+1'Post update
Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
88'Booking
Jewison Bennette (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
87'goalGoal!
Goal! Watford 2, Sunderland 2. Jewison Bennette (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts with a cross.
84'Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Christian Kabasele replaces Craig Cathcart.
83'Post update
Attempt missed. Leon Dajaku (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
81'Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Dan Gosling replaces Keinan Davis.
80'Post update
Attempt missed. Jewison Bennette (Sunderland) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
80'Post update
Attempt saved. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Amad Diallo.
80'Post update
Attempt blocked. Jay Matete (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Abdoullah Ba.
79'Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Abdoullah Ba replaces Alex Pritchard.
79'Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Jay Matete replaces Corry Evans.
77'Post update
Foul by João Pedro (Watford).
Page 1 of 5rewindpreviousNavigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforward
Source: bbc.com