WATFORD suffered their third consecutive home defeat as Scunthorpe United clinched three points, thanks to a second half goal from striker Paul Hayes.

The Hornets were outdone by a headed goal that left Richard Lee little chance as the visitors broke the deadlock after a host of opportunities came their way after the break.

While Watford were pushing hard to find the breakthrough, the Irons made the most of the holes at the back and that lone strike was enough to win the game.

That defeat still leaves the Golden Boys in the play off positions, but it will go down to the final day at Blackpool, as the Hornets are currently just two points ahead of seventh placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Prior to kick off, the sun shone over Hertfordshire and it looked to be the perfect opportunity for the home side to make up for their recent patchy form in front of their own fans.

However in the end it was the 500 travelling Scunthorpe supporters who left the happier of the two sets of fans.

Boss Aidy Boothroyd was forced into one change for the encounter with the Irons. Defender Leigh Bromby picked up an injury in training and failed a fitness test this morning - his loss handed a chance to American international Jay DeMerit.

DeMerit back in action after Bromby's injury blow

On the substitutes' bench for the Hornets, the manager included Mart Poom, Aidy Mariappa and Lionel Ainsworth.

Meanwhile, for the visitors, leading scorer Martin Paterson missed out with a hernia injury - which he will have an operation on during the forthcoming week. The Irons played an attacking line-up with Ben May and Jonathan Forte supporting Hayes in attack.

The Hornets forced a couple of early corners to put the Irons under some pressure and from Jobi McAnuff's out-swinging corner, giant defender Dan Shittu saw his header blocked in the crowded penalty box.

But the early moments of excitement both came from mistakes from the goalkeepers. Scunthorpe 'keeper Joe Murphy slipped just outside his penalty box, and caused a moment of panic for the stopper as he was forced to concede a throw in from which the 'Orns won a corner kick.

At the other end Lee then miss-kicked in front of the Rookery as a back pass came his way, but the Academy graduate managed to regain his composure and clear the danger. 

Hayes then had more time than he thought when Jack Cork's miss-hit fell at his feet on the edge of the penalty box - Hayes controlled the ball and hit an early shot straight into Lee's arms.

At the other end Tommy Smith's cross was missed by Darius Henderson, McAnuff picked up the loose ball but ballooned his effort into the traveling supporters.

Henderson goes shoulder to shoulder with the Irons

A moment of hesitation in the 26th minute nearly costs the 'Orns dear as Forte was breathing down the necks of Doyley and Lee.

As Doyley tried to usher the ball back to the 'keeper, for a split second the Scunny man looked to have nicked in between the two, before the full back took the ball away and cleared his lines. 

There were precious few opportunities during the first 45 minutes as the visitors hassled the 'Orns for every ball and with three players in attack, looked dangerous at times, especially on the break.

The Irons were forced into a change with just a minute of normal time left at the end of the first half, midfielder Kevan Hurst hobbled off after picking up a leg injury and Matthew Sparrow took his place in the centre of the park.

After the break, Forte's teasing cross forced Jordan Stewart to head over his own bar at the far post. From the resulting corner kick, the ball was driven in to the back post and Forte hit his shot just wide of Lee's post.

Substitute Sparrow couldn't make the most of an inviting ball through as he lashed a shot wide of Lee's post into the crowd at the Vicarage Road end.

The Irons continued to look the more likely to score as Ian Morris' corner picked up the giant May, but his headed effort went just wide. Then Forte drove wide after Hayes found him with a great insightful ball from the right flank. 

John-Joe O'Toole rises to win a vital header at the Vic

With the visitors on top, the crowd started to get behind the Hornets, McAnuff's turn and shot was blasted over the bar and that was his final contribution to the afternoon as Boothroyd made a double change with an hour on the clock.

Lionel Ainsworth came on for Tamas Priskin, while Nathan Ellington took the place of wing man McAnuff.

Ainsworth's injection of pace made an impact on the left hand flank and he was unafraid to attack Scunny at every opportunity.

With the Hornets pushing forward and the substitutes having livened up the side, the Irons picked their moment to take advantage with the home side stretched at the back.

Forte's incisive and quick delivery from the left flank was finished off with a bullet header from Hayes from six yards out.

Now the 'Orns had to react and quickly - Ellington did his best with a volley on 72 minutes but that was blocked by the bundle of bodies in the penalty area.

Ainsworth causes Scunthorpe problems with his trickery

Ainsworth continued to look the danger man as the game progressed and with his pace he caused plenty of problems for right back Cliff Bryne. Ellington too made a nuisance of himself, dropping just off Henderson and proving difficult to mark for the Scunthorpe backline.

Despite all of the possession the Hornets had towards the end, they couldn't force a save from Murphy and despite Shittu joining the attack they didn't look likely to score.

That result is another sucker punch for the Hornets and they will now have to go to Blackpool and get a result, especially if the teams below them pick up maximum points in what is set to be a lively final day of the season for Watford and the Championship.   

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart; Smith, Eustace, O'Toole, McAnuff (Ainsworth 60); Henderson, Priskin (Ellington 60). Subs not used: Poom, Williamson, Mariappa.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED (4-3-3): Murphy; Bryne, Iriekpen (c), Butler, Williams; Hurst (Sparrow 44), Cork, Morris; May, Hayes (Weston 89), Forte (Winn 88). Subs not used: Picton, Wright.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Priskin (21 professional foul), Doyley (44 professional foul). SCUNTHORPE UNITED; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. SCUNTHORPE UNITED; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; none. SCUNTHORPE UNITED; Hayes (68). 

REFEREE: Mr A D'Urso.

ATTENDANCE: 16,454 (501 Scunthorpe supporters).