IT WAS a tough game, but Aidy Boothroyd never said it wasn't going to be.

Watford retained their top of the table status with a 3-1 victory at Glanford Park thanks to goals form Adam Johnson, Darius Henderson and Marlon King.

It was certainly a frenetic first half with both teams playing with attacking at the forefront of their minds. Scunthorpe were not here to make up the numbers that was clear.

Adam Johnson's tenth minute opener was cancelled out ten minutes later through Jonathan Forte.

Watford's prowess in front of goal was too much for the Irons to handle in the second half however and goals from Darius Henderson and Marlon King made sure of the points.

Aidy Boothroyd only made one change from Tuesday night's team and it was a pretty significant one. Mart Poom's back injury meant that Richard Lee made his first League start since March 3.

Watford got off to a positive start, similar to that of Tuesday night, putting pressure on the Irons' defence with three corners within 90 seconds. Keeper Joe Murphy had to be alert for one of them, pushing away Tommy Smith's effort.

Richard Lee had his first taste of the action four minutes in when Jim Goodwin's ball into the box had to be collected by the stand in stopper. From his throw, Watford were straight back on the attack with no let up.

Dan Shittu then had to make a last ditch tackle in the box, robbing Martin Paterson of possession as he raced to the by-line. It had to be quick and it had to be clean as Paterson had already entered the penalty area - Shittu produced on both counts.

With play swinging from end to end, Watford always looked the most likely to take the lead, despite Scunthorpe having some pacey front men. The visitors got the goal they so richly deserved with ten minutes on the clock when Adam Johnson nabbed his third goal in four starts.

The in form Lloyd Doyley carved out a cross and Johnson was ready to pounce in front of goal with a pin point header that flew past Joe Murphy.

Lee Williamson was then denied the opportunity to double the lead when his effort ricocheted off a plethora of bodies on its route to goal.

But just as Watford looked as though they had goals in them, so too did Scunthorpe. And that was proved to be the case when Jonathan Forte slotted home past Lee ten minutes later after Cleveland Taylor had sprinted to the by-line and cut the ball back for him to slide home.

Marlon King came close to regaining the lead for Watford when he latched onto Henderson's cross, but for an able bodied defender who raced to Scunthorpe's rescue, deflecting his effort away from the danger zone.

Watford were determined not to go in at half time without regaining the lead and threw everything at Scunthorpe. Shittu's header down saw King's lay off play in Smith. His snap shot was then denied by Murphy.

In first half injury time, Watford continued to press. A flurry of free kicks and corners once again saw Watford press the home side, but nothing, not even King's fantastic shot on the turn was beating Murphy.

The second half saw Watford pick up exactly where they left off. Doyley again playing the role of provider, this time for Henderson, but the man in form headed over.

That wasn't to be the case on the hour though when Henderson fired Watford back into the lead.

Jordan Stewart provided the cross for Smith to chest down, but his shot was smothered by Murphy. Henderson was there to pick up the scraps however and was never going to make any mistake from six yards out.

The Watford fans had barely ceased singing Henderson's name when Marlon King finally scored his first goal of the season from open play. And you could see from his celebration just how much it meant.

Doyley, who should now on be known as 'the provider', played the ball through for King to race onto from just inside the Scunthorpe half. And run he did.

All the way to the box where he slotted low past Murphy before turning to the crowd to celebrate with a flourish.

Despite now being in the ascendancy, Watford's luck was about to take a turn for the worse when Lee Williamson was sent to the showers for a two footed tackle on Forte. Watford would have to sit out the remaining 15 minutes a man down.

Hearts were in mouths moments later when Martin Paterson crashed a vicious shot against the post and the Watford defence could only watch on as it flew back to safety. Thankfully.

Tamas Priskin was then introduced to the action at the expense of King as Boothroyd attempted to freshen up his men's legs. The equally fresh Jobi McAnuff was doing his best to widen the scoreline when he partook in several darting runs down the left channel.

As ever when you're leading, it was a tense final five minutes, but Watford held on to secure the three points and the top spot.

SCUNTHORPE (4-4-2): Murphy; Byrne (Cork 85), Crosby, Butler, Youga; Taylor (Hayes 69), Sparrow, Goodwin, Hurst; Paterson, Forte (May 78). Subs: Lillis, Iriekpen.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart; Johnson (McAnuff 70), Mahon (c), Williamson, Smith; King (Priskin 82), Henderson (O'Toole 76). Subs: Mariappa, Ellington.

BOOKINGS: SCUNTHORPE; Forte (time wasting 32), Byrne (foul 45), Crosby (foul 90). WATFORD; Henderon (foul 17), Smith (time wasting 51), O'Toole (foul 80).

SENDINGS OFF: SCUNTHORPE; none. WATFORD; Williamson (violent conduct 75).

GOALS: SCUNTHORPE; Forte (20). WATFORD; Johnson (10), Henderson (60), King (63).

REFEREE: E.L. Ilderton.

ATTENDANCE: 7,515 (1,301 Watford supporters)