Watford had a late John-Joe O'Toole strike to thank for a narrow win over Darlington in the Carling Cup.

Damien Francis slotted Watford ahead after a deflection from a Ross Jenkins shot had fallen into his path and had wrong-footed keeper Simon Brown.

But Darlington bounced back and grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time when striker Gregg Blundell latched on to a clearance and deftly lobbed in.

The game seemed set for penalties only for O'Toole to half-volley in a winner.

Watford: Loach, Doyley, Bromby, Mariappa, Sadler, Ainsworth, Francis (Bangura 75), Jenkins, Young, Hoskins (O'Toole 62), Priskin (Henderson 75).
Subs Not Used: Poom, Gibson, Avinel, Parkes.

Booked: O'Toole, Ainsworth.

Goals: Francis 37, O'Toole 116.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, Foster, Miller, Valentine (Purdie 62), Kennedy, Ravenhill, Burgmeier (Poole 71), Hulbert (Griffin 71), Blundell, Clarke.
Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Smith, Main, White.

Booked: Blundell.

Goals: Blundell 90.

Att: 5,236

Ref: Fred Graham (Essex).

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