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Anthony Knockaert tops Sky Bet EFL play-off 'agony' poll

WATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 12:  Anthony Knockaert of Leicester is dejected after the npower Championship Play Off Semi Final: Second Leg between Watford and Le
Image: Anthony Knockaert was left in tears after the play-off semi-final defeat in 2013

Anthony Knockaert's injury-time penalty miss in Leicester's 2013 Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Watford has been voted the most agonising moment in play-off history, in a Sky Bet poll.

Only 20 seconds separated Manuel Almunia's penalty save and Troy Deeney smashing the ball into the Leicester net as the Foxes had their place at Wembley snatched away from them in the cruellest of fashions.

Knockaert was left in tears at the final whistle, while jubilant Hornets fans invaded the pitch.

The moment came out on top in poll, hosted on Sky Sports, with 29% of the vote, pushing Charlton's dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Sunderland into second place.

In the 1998 Championship play-off final, the game ended 4-4 after extra time, leading to a nail-biting shoot-out.

The first 13 penalties were scored before Sunderland-born Michael Gray saw his weak effort kept out by Addicks goalkeeper Sasa Ilic.

25 May 1998:  Michael Gray of Sunderland is consoled by his team mates after the Nationwide League Division One play-off final against Charlton Athletic at
Image: Michael Gray is consoled by Sunderland team-mate Niall Quinn

Even 20 years on Gray is frequently reminded of "that bloody penalty".

In a separate poll to find the moment which best captured the ecstasy of the play-offs, Bobby Zamora's last-minute goal for QPR against Derby County came out on top, with over 50% of the vote.

Zamora's magnificent strike was Rangers' first shot on target in a game that Derby had dominated.

Harry Redknapp was honest in his assessment of the 1-0 win: "We were handing on for grim death and then we got a goal out of nowhere. That's why this is the best game in the world."

Live EFL

Both polls were conducted by EFL sponsor Sky Bet who are exploring the range of emotions involved in the Sky Bet play-offs.

The 2017 Sky Bet League One play-off final is now only days away, with Millwall and Bradford City looking to write a new story of agony or ecstasy into play-off history.

To relive both the Zamora and the Knockaert moments, head here for the top 10 moments of ecstasy in play-off history and head here for the top 10 moments of heartbreak.

Watch every game from the Sky Bet EFL play-offs live on Sky Sports.

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