Watford 3 City 1 (Watford 3- City 2 on aggregate)
Report by Colin Hall
This was the minute that decided the destiny of two clubs' seasons – and perhaps the careers of players and managers too.
Seven minutes into stoppage time, Anthony Knockaert approached the penalty spot, seemingly on the verge of sending Leicester City into the 2013 Championship play-off final.
But it was an opportunity he was unable to convert. It was the first penalty he had taken in his career in English football – and may well prove to be his last.
The spot-kick was blocked by Watford keeper Manuel Almunia, as was Knockaert's attempt to force home the rebound.
The ball broke loose, the home side swept upfield and with the entire City side in complete disarray, Troy Deeney headed the goal that clinched a 3-2 aggregate win and terminate in the most gut-wrenching of fashions, another Foxes promotion dream.
The 2000-plus fans who had travelled down the M1 were left numb at how defeat had been so swiftly snatched from the jaws of victory.
But City's downfall was not the result of one madcap minute alone. Tactical misjudgements earlier in the afternoon had also played their part.
In particular, Nigel Pearson's selection of Michael Kean in central defence, in preference to the far more experienced Sean St Ledger, was a call that looked questionable before the game, and indefensible after it.
Deeney, suspended from the first leg, had regularly troubled Keane in the recent league clash, and wasted little time in doing so again on his return.
Indeed. in the opening minutes, Deeney's strike partner, Matej Vydra, wasted a glaring chance to put his side ahead, firing wide when sent clear on the City goal.
But the respite was short-lived. Vydra's next chance – a far more difficult one – was converted with a clinical volley which gave Kasper Schmeichel no chance.
City needed to respond quickly to this setback, and duly did so. Four minutes later, a Matty James corner was headed home by David Nugent for his third goal in successive games at this venue.
The rest of the half passed in a blur, with both sides matching each other blow for blow, and Nugent and Knockaert looking a constant threat.
However, the hosts stepped up the pressure after the break, with central midfield, so often City's Achilles heel in recent seasons, again proving a key battleground.
Midway through the second half, Vydra finished off a slick passing move to restore the Hornets' lead on the day and level the aggregate scores once more.
Pearson was forced to plug the gaps, replacing Lloyd Dyer and (fatefully) Chris Wood with Danny Drinkwater and Harry Kane.
The changes seemed to pay off. City were able to regain a foothold in the game. Indeed, they forced a series of dangerous free-kicks around the hosts' 18-yard box, but were unable to exploit any of them.
A collision between Knockaert and home defender Joel Ekstrand resulted in a lengthy stoppage for treatment to both players, and an extension of stoppage time well beyond the four minutes originally announced.
Just when extra-time seemed inevitable, Knockaert launched one final foray at the home goal, then fell dramatically to the ground. Although initial viewing, backed by the evidence of TV replays, suggested the contact from defender Nathaniel Chalobah was marginal at best, referee Robert Oliver pointed to the spot.
The visiting hordes erupted in ecstasy. But little did they know of the horror that awaited them..
With memories still fresh of his heroics at Forest, Knockaert has been able to escape the vitriol heaped upon compatriot Yann Kermorgant after his spot-kick failure at Cardiff three years ago.
The failings of this squad, both on the day and throughout the season, have been widely (and correctly) judged as collective and systematic ones rather than the fault of individuals.
But the consequences of this defeat will be wide-ranging, with key players likely to leave, along with several members of the squad already deemed surplus to requirements.
With continuing heavy losses testing the resolve and patience of the club's owners – as well as the provisions for forthcoming “financial fair play rules” the preparations for another challenge next season become even more onerous.
It remains to be seen whether Pearson – with three failed seasons already during his time in charge at City – will be given the chance to make them.
Watford (3-5-2): Almunia (c), Doyley (Forestieri 65),Ekstrand, Cassetti; Anya, Abdi, Battocchio (Hogg 79), Chalobah,Briggs; Deeney, Vydra. Unused subs: Bond, Eustace, Hall, Pudil, Geijo.
Goals: Vydra 15, 66, Deeney 90 + 7 Booked: Cassetti, Deeney.
City (4-4-2): Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Keane, Schlupp, Knockaert, James, King, Dyer (Drinkwater 67) Nugent, Wood (Kane 61). Unused subs: Logan, Konchesky, Marshall, Vardy, Moore.
Goals: Nugent 19 Booked: Wood.
Attendance: 16,142 (2,206 away) Referee: Michael Oliver
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation