Former Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Pride Park

"Fantastic play from Tom Ince. He attacks the Watford defence, drops his shoulder, gets himself a yard and produces a brilliant finish. You hope the players you bring in can change things for you - we saw Kenwyne Jones score and earn Bournemouth a point earlier today - and Ince has done it for Derby."

The protests from the home fans turn into cheers as Tom Ince gives Derby the lead. The Hull City loanee shows some magic feet to dribble the ball into the penalty area, gets a bit of luck as it cannons off a Watford foot back into his path, before firing clinically into the corner. Derby fans are bouncing now.

Watford defender Gabriele Angella is a lucky man. First he appears to handle the ball in the penalty area and then he drags down Tom Ince in the box, Play is waved on both times but both could be penalties.

Jesse Lingard, Darren Bent, Tom Ince, Will Hughes. You have to wonder, why on earth are Derby struggling for form? That list of players wouldn't be out of place in the Premier League.

Ambitious from Derby's Jeff Hendrick as he fires over the bar from 25 yards. Watford won't mind that.

Former Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Pride Park

"Tom Ince actually should have shot but his cut-back ended up taking a dangerous deflection, with Heurelho Gomes somehow able to snaffle it round the post. There is that overlap that Ince does so well. Great work from Jesse Lingard to play him in."

Good reaction from Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes as he keeps out Tom Ince's deflected cross with his feet.

At the other end, Troy Deeney has a header saved by Lee Grant before striking wide. The 10-man Hornets still can be a danger.

Cyrus Christie doesn't survive his first half howler as the Derby defender is replaced by winger Jesse Lingard. To be fair, it looks tactical as the hosts switch to a more attacking system but his error for Watford's opener can't have helped.

Watford also make a change as defender Dan Tozer replaces striker Matej Vydra.

Forty five minutes left in a thrilling day in the Championship and Middlesbrough fans will be enjoying the view...

Image source, Opta

Derby may have looked a little nervy but there can be few arguments they didn't deserve that equaliser. More possession, more shots and more corners. Watford fans will be dreading a second half with 10 men.

Former Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Pride Park

"There's been an incredible transformation since the goal. You look around the stadium now and the crowd have taken an awful lot from Darren Bent's penalty. But Watford still have three players in their side up front who can really threaten and Derby will still have their work cut out."

Former Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Pride Park

"That was probably the biggest touch of the season for Derby. This could really turn their campaign around. A fantastic penalty from Darren Bent. Think about all the pressure that is on him there, but he wraps his foot round the ball and fires it home. Derby have deserved that."

That equaliser would be enough to move Derby back into the top six. They will fancy all three now though.

How Derby needed that. Darren Bent steps up and pings the spot kick into the top corner to put the Rams level. They now have an entire second half against 10 men - although Watford will be furious.

Marco Motta can have no complaints about the penalty decision but a straight red? Not for me. The striker's touch was sideways and he looked to be heading back towards a crowd of players. I wouldn't call that a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Image source, Getty Images

Johnny Russell is downed by Marco Motta inside the penalty area as he looks to close in on goal. A straight red is shown - harshly in my opinion.

How's your touch Darren Bent? The Aston Villa loanee is played through on goal by Richard Keogh's defence-splitting pass but, his first touch lets him down, and the chance is gone.

Tom Ince then sees a shot deflected wide and the corner comes to nothing.

And they almost do, as Will Hughes is dispossessed on the edge of his own area and Adlene Guedioura's powerful low strike is parried away by Lee Grant. So sloppy from the hosts again at the back.

Surely it won't be long before Chris Martin is introduced for Derby if things stay like this into the second half. Derby have had plenty of the ball but with so little final product. If I was a betting man, I'd have the Hornets to score next.