Goals from Darius Henderson and Tommy Smith inflicted a first Championship defeat of the season on Town at Vicarage Road.

Henderson struck early to give Watford a foothold in the game with Smith wrapping up the points 15 minutes from time with a sweetly struck left foot drive.

Jim Magilton stayed with the team that beat Crystal Palace last weekend, Jaime Peters taking his spot on the bench in place of the suspended Danny Haynes.

Watford's £3.25m signing from West Brom, Nathan Ellington, started on the bench for the home side with Henderson and Marlon King leading the attack.

The Hornets were ahead on six minutes,  Lee Williamson allowed space from a Jordan Stewart pass to set up Henderson who buried his shot through the legs of the exposed Neil Alexander.

Town's openings were few and far between in the first 45 minutes, Pablo Counago at the heart of most of the good things going forward for Town. The Spaniard showing great vision to release Jon Walters with a cross-field pass, his shot blocked by Lloyd Doyley.

Dan Harding defended well to clear from Jobi McAnuff's cross, then kept his eye on the ball to deny Tommy Smith with an excellent challenge after the wideman latched on to a McAnuff pass and burst into the box.

Henderson sent a header over the bar from a good position, then had a shot blocked by David Wright before Gary Roberts, who picked up the first booking of the game for a mistimed challenge on Jordan Stewart, fired high and wide.

Town's best effort before the break came on 43 minutes, Owen Garvan shooting narrowly wide after good work by Walters but it was Watford who continued to threaten, Williamson driving over the bar, then Henderson wasting a great chance to make it two on the stroke of half-time, dragging his shot wide from six yards.

Town started the second-half with more purpose, Garvan's left footer going over the bar and then good interchange of play involving Roberts and Counago ending with Lee bending the ball wide of the post.

At the other end Alexander held on to King's strike from the angle of the box as the game opened up.

Garvan appeared to be blocked on the edge of the box but referee Mick Jones waved away Town's appeals for a free-kick or even penalty.

Blues looked a different side in the second-half and pushed the Hornets back, Garvan almost finding Wright after a burst through the midfield, while Harding stood up a cross that Dan Shittu headed clear.

Billy Clarke replaced Lee on the hour mark, Jaime Peters coming on for Roberts soon after, the Canadian going close with his first touch, a header from Counago's cross.

Williamson was yellow carded for a foul on Peters, who made an immediate impact on the action, while Alexander saved well from McAnuff.

Henderson made way for Ellington on 72 minutes and three minutes later Watford extended their lead, Smith cutting inside and firing a beauty with his left foot from 25 yards.

Miller picked up a second Town booking for a foul on Ellington, Watford wasting the free-kick. McAnuff was an inch from making it three as the game drifted towards added on time, his shot hitting the inside of the post, Ellington then stabbing the ball wide before referee Jones brought a halt to the proceedings with a final blast of his whistle.

Watford: Poom, Doyley, Shittu, Demerit, Stewart, McAnuff, Mahon, Williamson, Smith (O'Toole 90), King, Henderson (Ellington 72). Subs not used: Lee, Priskin, Mariappa. Booked: Williamson.

Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Walters, Garvan, Miller, Roberts (Peters 68), Counago, Lee (Clarke 62). Subs not used: Supple, Legwinski, Casement. Booked: Roberts, Miller.