WATFORD returned to action at Vicarage Road after the international break and continued their fine form and promotion push. Hull came to town and proved to be yet another tough opponent - but the Hornets stuck to the task in hand and were rewarded with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from striker Marlon King.

It was certainly another tough test for the 'Orns as the Tigers were very organised and the visitors had chances of their own to win the game too. The performance wasn't always pretty but the Hornets made sure they converted one of their best chances of the game as King looks to be getting into his stride in the Championship this season.  

Aidy Boothroyd was forced into a change in the heart of his midfielder with Lee Williamson starting a three match ban. This meant a first ever start for Academy graduate John-Joe O'Toole, who slotted in alongside captain Gavin Mahon. Goalkeeper Richard Lee continued between the sticks with Scott Loach stepping up to the bench.

Kick It Out... Marlon supports the anti-racism day of action

Hull City handed a debut to striker Frazier Campbell who was signed on loan from Manchester United on Thursday. No side could carve out a chance in the opening exchanges and it was ex-Spurs midfielder Dean Marney who was the first player to have a strike with 10 minutes on the clock, after his sizzling drive was well saved by Lee in goal for the Hornets.

Brian Hughes struck the side netting five minutes later as Hull continued to press and stake their hold on the game. Phil Brown's side looked difficult to break down and had more than enough about them to worry the Watford back four.  

The Golden Boys struck the first and only goal of the afternoon on 19 minutes, against the run of play, as the visitors started to put more pressure on the Hornets back four. Watford broke away from defence and Mahon threaded the ball through to King on the right, who made his way into the box and looked up and hit a low shot past Boaz Myhill into the corner of the net in front of the Rookery Stand.

On its way in... King looks on as he opens scoring

It was the first real sight of goal for Boothroyd's side and they made no mistake with King keeping his calm when called upon. Up until that point they had forced strong periods of possession but hadn't had any real opportunity to force Myhill into action.

The heat of the game started to rise with a number of decisions made by the referee aggravating the home crowd and it wasn't long before a few names were put in the book as the challenges started to fly in around the middle of the park.

Watford still weren't creating a great deal in front of goal but looked solid enough for their lead in the build up to half time. Stephen McPhee headed wide of Lee's post with a low header after another cross in from the by-line from the right flank.  

The Hornets produced their best piece of play with 39 minutes on the clock after Lloyd Doyley and Mahon combined on the right and then a lovely lay off found King who played in O'Toole in the box. Before he could pull the trigger a superb last-ditch challenge came flying in from a Hull defender.

The goal that clinched the game from the King

Half time: Watford 1 - 0 Hull City

The Hornets started the second period brightly with Adam Johnson and Jordan Stewart combining well down the left flank with Stewart looking to push forward whenever he could. Johnson, as always, was full of tricks and looked to get his crosses in and attack to the by-line.

Despite the pressure from the Golden Boys they couldn't find anyway through the resilient Hull defence and the Tigers started to grow in stature. Hughes tested Lee and the 'keeper had to turn his shot away for a corner, and then from the resulting kick Damien Delaney headed over the bar.

Meanwhile Watford came back stronger as King flashed a shot across the face of goal and then rookie midfielder O'Toole nearly got his name on the score sheet. The 19-year-old put the ball in the back of the net from six yards after a scramble involving Myhill in goal for the Tigers - but the referee blew his whistle. Then moments later the ball fell to O'Toole on the edge of the box after a corner and he lashed an ambitious drive that went just over Myhill's upright.

From another corner Dan Shittu made his way up from defence and headed wide from just a few yards out on goal. This was the most sustained period of pressure so far for Boothroyd's troops but they were unable to make their advantage count. The Tigers always posed a threat and especially so with the experienced Dean Windass who entered play as a substitute.

Tommy Smith was next to try his luck with a half volley on 69 minutes but Myhill had plenty of time to compose himself and made a comfortable save. Boothroyd made a double substitution, using his strong striking options to full effect, with Nathan Ellington and Jobi McAnuff coming on for Smith and Darius Henderson. McAnuff was lively from the off and almost set up Ellington when his pinpoint cross nearly perfectly found the record buy in the six yard box.

Hull weren't prepared to give up though and continued to press for an equaliser and launched balls into the Watford area with the announcement of three minutes of time to be added on. However the Hornets looked solid enough and played down the time to further frustrate Hull as the referee blew his whistle on another vital three points in the race for promotion.    

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart; Johnson, Mahon (c), O'Toole, Smith (McAnuff 73); King, Henderson (Ellington 73). Subs not used: Loach (gk), Priskin, Mariappa.

HULL CITY (4-4-2): Myhill; Ricketts, Turner, Brown (c), Delaney; Garcia (Windass 51), Marney, Livermore (Featherstone 77), McPhee; Hughes, Campbell (Elliott 80). Subs not used: Duke, Dawson.  

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none HULL CITY; Livermore (foul 2), Brown (professional foul 13), Marney (professional foul 45).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. HULL CITY; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; King (19). BLACKPOOL; none. 

REFEREE: K.A. Woolmer

ATTENDANCE: 15,803 (876 Hull supporters)

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