Stoke City suffered late heartache at Vicarage Road this evening, slipping to controversial 3-2 defeat to recently-relegated Watford.

The Potters had taken an early lead thanks to Steven Fletcher's close range effort, before the home side levelled in dubious circumstances through Tom Cleverley.

The Hornets then went in front from the penalty spot in the second half, before Nick Powell netted an equaliser with nine minutes remaining.

With the game deep into stoppage time, Watford struck to claim all three points as Ismaila Sarr finished off a move which had started with a handball infringement.

Michael O'Neill's side made a bright start to proceedings in Hertfordshire and were in front within 120 seconds. A clever corner routine involved Jordan Thompson, John Obi Mikel and Nick Powell, before the latter played it across to Fletcher who coolly swept home.

Minutes later, Etienne Capoue had the home side’s first opportunity in front of goal, hitting a 25-yard effort wide of Angus Gunn’s upright.

Midway through the half the visitors broke on their hosts, with Campbell driving forward and laying the ball off to Smith whose cross to Fletcher was flicked goalwards and comfortably claimed by Ben Foster.

Just before the half hour mark, there was mass controversy. After Gunn had expertly flicked a Cleverley shot onto the bar, and claimed the ball once it had bounced down and up off the goalline, the keeper was then pushed over his line by Joao Pedro and a goal was given by referee Andy Davies.

The equaliser initially took the wind out of the Potters’ sails, with the Hornets fashioning two quickfire efforts – Gunn blocking an effort with his body, before Capoue fired a shot just off target.

City managed to regain their composure however, and shortly after the interval, were unlucky not to retake the lead as Fletcher flicked a Smith cross narrowly over the bar.

On the hour mark, Watford edged themselves in front when a mistake from Danny Batth was capitalised on by Sarr, who was then brought down inside the box by Gunn. A penalty was awarded by the referee, with Pedro sending Gunn the wrong way from 12 yards.

The home side then had a flurry of corners which City dealt with, before substitute Andre Gray flicked Christian Kabasele’s cross narrowly wide of the far post.

With nine minutes remaining, the Potters pulled themselves level when Cambpell received the ball on the edge of the area, and with Powell in close proximity, he took over and blasted it into the bottom corner.

Minutes later, the attacker had the chance to edge the Potters back in front when McClean and Campbell help to tee him up inside the box, but he leant back and lifted his effort over the bar.

With the game into six minutes of additional time, the Potters suffered a final sting when Sarr finished off a move which appeared to have struck a Watford hand in the build up.

Potters suffer controversial defeat