Two goals from Darius Henderson gave Watford victory at Vicarage Road, Nicky Forster on target for Blues for the second successive game.

Former Gillingham striker Henderson headed in on 33 minutes and added the decisive second goal 13 minutes from time after Forster had levelled the scores on 57 minutes.

Town's summer signing from Reading, making his first start since the defeat at Hull in December, rose above the home defence to head in Darren Currie's free-kick.

Watford started the game on top and hit the woodwork early on with another effort going just over from Gavin Mahon.

Lewis Price, in goal for the rested Shane Supple, who was also nursing injuries, dealt well with a number of crosses that the Hornets threw into the Town box but had no chance with the opening goal, Henderson powering in a header from an Anthony McNamee cross after Jimmy Juan had lost possession.

Henderson was close to adding a second a minute after his goal, Richard Naylor doing brilliantly to get his head to the ball as the former Gillingham frontman looked set to meet another cross six yards out.

Town had chances in the first-half though, Forster seeing a shot well saved by Ben Forster after good work by Jay McEveley, then Dean Bowditch flashing a shot past the post.

Alan Lee saw Foster save well from his shot after he had cut in from the right while Watford went close with an overhead kick from Jay Demerit.

Town boss Joe Royle introduced Danny Haynes and Currie at the break, Bowditch and Vemund Brekke Skard, making his first start for Blues, giving way.

Blues looked far more potent in the second-half and Lee appeared to be brought down from behind by Malky Mackay in the box before Forster grabbed his fifth goal of the season with a terrific header, following his goal against Brighton at the weekend on his return from knee surgery. 

Lee and Mackay were both booked in the second-half with Blues enjoying plenty of possession, Forster seeing a shot blocked while Jason De Vos almost got on the end of a Currie delivery.

The winning goal came in the closing stages, Henderson, whose power in the air caused Town trouble all game, got on the end of an Ashley Young cross to beat Price in the Blues' goal.

The win leaves Watford in third place and assured of a Play-Off place while Town's run without a victory has stretched to eight games.