WATFORD dropped three points at home as new Burnley manager Owen Coyle saw his side win for the first time since taking over the reigns of the Clarets.

The Hornets didn't get going in the first half and found themselves two down after 79 minutes and with a mountain to climb.

This spurred the 'Orns on but it proved to be too late and Dan Shittu's late strike wasn't enough to save them as Burnley produced a confident performance for their new boss and left Watford without a win in three home games.

Second half strikes from Andy Gray and substitute Joey Gudjonsson sunk Aidy Boothroyd's men as the Clarets exposed space in the Watford defence. 

Jay DeMerit returned to the starting line-up for the Golden Boys as he again linked up with Shittu at the heart of defence. The American didn't show any signs of his calf injury in the opening exchanges as he happily tackled hard for all loose balls and was barking out orders as if he hadn't been away.

The wet soil and continued rain meant for a slick surface with both goalkeepers having to be aware of shots from all distances.

Watford had their first attempt on goal after 13 minutes when Lloyd Doyley linked up with Tommy Smith on the right and got to the by-line. His dinked cross was headed towards goal and Steve Kabba headed over Gabor Kiraly's upright. 

Then just moments later Marlon King's low drive across goal couldn't quite reach Darius Henderson at the far post.

Burnley had Gray and Robbie Blake in attack but it was Chris McCann who had their best effort with more than 20 minutes on the clock.

The Clarets came closest to breaking the deadlock following a free kick into the far post and a downward header from the midfielder bounced up and hit the bar.

Then as the pressure continued Doyley was the man at the back to mop up the danger as the ball fell away from Blake in the penalty box. The visitors frustrated Watford for long periods and shut off the supply routes to the front two of Henderson and King. Coyle's side were well organised and proved to be a threat with Gray and Blake causing problems for the Golden Boys. 

The 'Orns continued to press but when they could get the ball in the box the Clarets were strong and frustrated the home side. Captain Gavin Mahon tried to get his troops going by spinning the ball out wide to Smith, he had the beating of the full back to get a cross in which Henderson couldn't connect with properly.

On 34 minutes the Hornets were nearly gifted an opening goal as Kiraly's poor clearance only went as far as King, but after taking the ball into the area his drive was saved by the 'keeper.

Shittu looked dangerous at set pieces for the Golden Boys and was looking to continue where he left off after Saturday. He was up for all corners and free kicks and he headed over the bar after a good delivery into the box

At the other end Kyle Lafferty glided into the area but his curling shot didn't have enough on it to sneak in at the far post. Burnley grew in stature as the half went on and had a strong shout for a penalty turned down with three minutes of normal time left before the break.

A ball was put over the top and Blake headed towards goal with DeMerit in hot pursuit. The American nearly made up the ground but brought Blake down as he was chasing towards the ball which trickled out of play.

The Clarets protested strongly for a spot kick but referee Mr Friend wasn't swayed and awarded a goal kick. It was a let off for Boothroyd's men and the warning signs were flashing before the interval.

Half time: Watford 0 Burnley 0

The first chance for the Golden Boys after the break fell to the unlikely figure of full back Jordan Stewart. A ball was cleared from the packed penalty box and the ex-Leicester defender hit a rasping effort which caught Kiraly by surprise and was tipped over the bar.

Watford wanted to attack and looked to push forward as Kabba then tried his luck at Burnley's goal. King's good cross from the touchline saw Kabba get the right side of his full back but his header was sent wide of the post.

The Clarets replaced Lafferty at half time with Joey Gudjonsson coming on in his place. The Icelandic international produced a curling shot which was saved by the diving Estonian in goal for Watford.

With 57 minutes on the clock the Clarets took the lead with the dangerous Gray picking out his spot in the corner of the net with a well taken header. A great delivery had been put in the box by Wade Elliott from the Burnley right hand side. The visitors had happily soaked up what the Hornets had to throw at them and then proved they could finish when they needed to.

Despite going behind Boothroyd's men still struggled to pick up the pace and couldn't find a way past Burnley. When they did find space down the channels ex-Hornet Clarke Carlisle was there to clear the danger.

Boothroyd made a double substitution after 74 minutes with Tamas Priskin and Damien Francis coming on for Darius Henderson and Jordan Stewart with the Golden Boys moving to three in defence.

The crowd tried to raise the noise levels as Watford hit corners and crosses into the box but the Clarets stood strong and held their ground.

With the home side pushing on Burnley hit them with a sucker-punch as substitute Gudjonsson took advantage of the space in the Watford half. Gray collected the ball after a clearance, held off Doyley and hit a long ball forward. Gudjonsson stayed the right side of the half way line and raced on to meet the ball and then rounded Poom and sunk the ball into the net.

The game looked to be running away from the Hornets now as the Clarets looked well in control. However defender Shittu scored his third goal in two games after King controlled in the area and knocked the ball in the path of the big defender.

This lifted spirits for a short while but with four minutes of added time played the home side couldn't muster enough to sneak a late equaliser as the Clarets dealt with all the balls that were sent flying into their box.  

WATFORD (4-4-2): Poom; Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu, Stewart (Francis 74); Smith, Mahon (c) (Ellington 80), Williamson, Kabba; King, Henderson (Priskin 74). Subs not used: Jackson, Lee (GK).

BURNLEY (4-4-2): Kiraly; Alexander (c), Carlisle, Unsworth, Harley; Elliott, McCann, Mahon Lafferty (Gudjonsson 45); Gray (Akinbiyi 85), Blake (Jones 84). Subs not used: Jensen (GK), O'Connor.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. BURNLEY; Akinbiyi (foul 93).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. BURNLEY; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Shittu (85). BURNLEY; Gray (57), Gudjonsson (79).

REFEREE: Mr K A Friend

ATTENDANCE: 15, 021 (602 Burnley supporters)