João Pedro’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Michael Obafemi’s 96th-minute equaliser, as Watford drew 1-1 with top-of-the-table Burnley at Turf Moor.

The home side burst into life the quickest as Daniel Bachmann was forced to rebuff Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson and Ashley Barnes’ efforts, tipping the latter’s onto the crossbar in the opening minutes. Despite a strong start from Burnley, it would be Watford that would break the deadlock as João Pedro tapped home after the Hornets exploited a mix-up in the Burnley defence.

Having taken their 1-0 lead into the break, Watford's defence remained resolute under sustained pressure for the majority of the second period with Bachmann notably diverting Nathan Tella’s close-range flick away from a set-piece. Although the Hornets came agonisingly close to securing a memorable victory, Obafemi equalised at the death for the home side.

Despite the late goal, Watford remain in the play-off places as it stands, and they will take plenty of positives into another important clash against West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road next time out (Monday February 20, 8pm KO).

Head Coach Slaven Bilić made two changes from the 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (February 11), with Ken Sema and Keinan Davis coming in for Henrique Araújo and Matheus Martins. Captain Tom Cleverley had been expected to take part, but was taken out of the team following an injury in the warm-up.

It was a quick start for the home side as Ian Maatsen’s long ball reached Guðmundsson, forcing Bachmann to rush out quickly to deny the winger.

With the Austrian having parried the Iceland-born Claret’s shot, the ball ricocheted to Barnes with the Watford shot-stopper getting a strong hand on the rebounded effort, tipping it onto the crossbar.

The second-tier’s runaway leaders continued to cause the Hornets problems as Josh Cullen rolled an impressive ball into the path of Tella, with his eventual strike blocked by Hassane Kamara.

The rhythm of the game was regularly broken up by fouls, as referee Leigh Doughty went to his whistle on multiple occasions, frustrating the home support in attendance.

Although the hosts dominated the possession figures, Watford would stun the Burnley faithful and make a dent on the scoresheet as they capitalised on a rare error from a regularly reliable defence.

Centre-half Ryan Porteous played a long, looping ball from deep which the on-rushing Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric failed to deal with, flapping at the chance to clear his lines.

Striker Davis passed the ball out wide to Sema and, with the Burnley shot-stopper still in an awkward position, the Swedish midfielder played a square ball to João Pedro on the edge of the six-yard box who drilled the ball past the near-post to give the Hornets the lead.

Watford continued to press with Burnley shaken by the opener. Ismaël Koné’s pass reached the goalscorer lurking on the edge of the box, but this time the Brazilian was unable to be as clinical, blasting his strike over the bar.

However, the home side remained dangerous as Anass Zaroury drilled a low shot from outside the box which forced Bachmann to dive to his left-hand side, claiming the ball comfortably in the end.

And despite some late pressure from the side in Claret and Blue, Watford would take their hard-fought lead into the break. Unusually, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany opted to switch his goalkeepers during the interval, bringing Bailey Peacock-Farrell in for Muric.

After the stoppage, the Clarets returned reinvigorated, but the pairing of Porteous and Wesley Hoedt stood strong under the early pressure as Barnes, Guðmundsson and Zaroury tried their best to break the Golden Boys down.

Watford were continually tested by the home side as Barnes tussled and battled with Hoedt and Porteous. It meant that Bachmann had to remain alert and resolute to the potential challenge posed by the opposition’s attack.

With half-an-hour left to play, Guðmundsson delivered an inviting corner and Sema inadvertently diverted it towards Tella, but Bachmann at point-blank range was able to clear it from danger impressively.

Bilić turned to his bench to give his side the vigour needed to hold onto their slender lead as Sema, Koné and Davis made way for Martins, Imrân Louza and Araújo.

Entering the final stages, the Hornets remained a force to be reckoned with on the counter-attack, but were unable to connect with their final pass when it mattered leaving a narrow lead open to a Burnley equaliser.

With the fourth official having held up six minutes of additional time, Watford had to hold on a little longer, but would eventually succumb to the never-ending Burnley pressure.

Substitute Lyle Foster hit the post as Watford scrambled to clear a corner, but Obafemi had the final touch as he fired in from close range to earn his side a late point and break Watford’s hearts.