WATFORD bounced back from the Hull defeat with a 2-1 win over Coventry at Vicarage Road. The three points being just what the doctor ordered.

But there was no need for doctors when you have the Duke - and it was Nathan Ellington's opener joined with a Tommy Smith strike that sealed the points for the Hornets.

The visitors from the Midlands made life difficult with a powerful second half performance and looked to have picked up a point when they equalised after the break.

Despite taking the lead early on and having the better of the first half play, the Golden Boys were pegged back in the second half and found themselves under large periods of pressure.

With the game looking to be heading for a yet another score-draw, the 'Orns had Tommy Smith to thank for an all-important strike. He kept a cool head and slotted past Kasper Schmeichel to win the game and send Vicarage Road into overdrive.

The Hornets had to defend for large periods of the second half and Aidy Boothroyd made his back line stronger in the final few minutes by using his defensive cover on the bench.

The pre-match build up inside the ground focused on the crowd with flags and t-shirts handed out to Watford supporters. With the noise levels raised, the teams were greeted by a sea of yellow around the stands.

Boothroyd made two changes to the side with John-Joe O'Toole returning to the centre of midfield and Lloyd Doyley returning at right back, the position he filled so well earlier this season.

The heavens opened before kick off and made the surface slippery straight away. However the 'Orns went about the job in hand and looked lively and attack-minded.

Watford reacted well to the disappointment of the heavy defeat at Hull and found themselves in front within 10 minutes. Smith drifted in from the right hand flank and after finding Nathan Ellington with a short pass - the Duke hit a low shot from the edge of the 18-yard box that evaded 'keeper Schmeichel.

Ellington lights the blue touch paper with an early opener

It was the perfect start for the Hornets and quickly eased the pressure around the Vic and the team looked noticeably lifted and relieved. They continued with the job in hand and the Sky Blues were largely held back inside their own half.  

The Golden Boys had the bit between their teeth and looked strong in the centre of the park with O'Toole and Lee Williamson. Tommy Smith was also one of the busiest players on the pitch and was involved in pretty much everything the Hornets created.

Watford's next attack started with Williamson, his short free-kick found Smith and the Hemel boy cut inside only to see his final shot drift over Schmeichel's upright.

Congratulations for Nathan after his Vic Road opener

Smith continued with his assault on the Sky Blues for most of the half and was at the centre of most of Watford's play. After receiving a lovely cross-field pass from the returning O'Toole, he cut inside the box, but his progress was blocked by a last-ditch Coventry challenge.

O'Toole then fancied his own chances at goal and decided to take matters into his own hands. The Irishman's powerful shot was blocked by loanee Schmeichel, then Smith's inviting deep cross was headed clear by Coventry's Richard Duffy.

The Sky Blues did have chances of their own after the Golden Boys had taken the lead. Robbie Simpson's header from a Daniel Fox ball through to the penalty box wasn't enough to trouble Richard Lee, but it indicated their intentions.

Leon Best was lively in attack for Chris Coleman's team and his movement was keeping Leigh Bromby and Dan Shittu on their toes. He found space towards the end of the first half and struck a low drive that was held well by Lee.

The biggest danger of the first half for the home side was down to their indecisiveness in defence. Neither Lee nor Shittu took control of a long ball down field and Simpson looked for a second to sneak in between the two on the edge of the box. Luckily for the 'Orns, the ball was cleared to the wings.  

Tommy turns the tide with a cool finish under pressure

Watford had the final attack of the first period when Smith blasted wide from 10 yards out after excellent work from Williamson on the right hand side of the box. He got the ball to the by-line and picked out Smith perfectly but the ex-Derby man couldn't pick out his spot.

The Sky Blues sent on Michael Mifsud at half time in place of Richard Duffy, and he took his place on the right of midfield and made an instant impact on the game. Coleman's side looked livelier and had more of a threat going forward with Mifsud giving Mat Sadler plenty to do.

Despite a flurry of crosses and corners from the Golden Boys, Coventry were rewarded for their pressure with the crucial equaliser. Julian Gray found space down the right hand flank and picked out Best - who headed home past Lee from six yards out.

Watford were restricted to creating chances from set pieces as the Sky Blues looked confident and strong after their goal.

Shittu and Bromby were called upon to do more and more work with the former making a vital interception with a quarter of an hour remaining. The travelling Coventry fans behind the goal were then appealing for a penalty as Best went down in the box but referee Mr Deadman waved play on.

Smith's delight as he hits the winner is clear to see

With the crowd and players looking nervy, Watford didn't seem to have an answer to the Sky Blues. However with just over 10 minutes remaining, the Golden Boys found the goal they had been looking for and it almost came out of nothing.

A long ball down field was flicked on by Ellington and Smith latched on to finish in front of the Rookery. It lifted the atmosphere around the Vic immediately and meant a nail biting finish to the game.

Coventry reacted to the setback and, as expected, put the home side under pressure. Jay DeMerit, Jordan Stewart and Adrian Mariappa were all sent on to shore up the backline and withstand the pressure. The decision proved to be correct as the 'Orns held on for three crucial points.

The first half of the Vicarage Road double of the week is complete - now Watford can welcome FA Cup giant killers Barnsley on Wednesday night where they'll need the same sort of grit and determination.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley (DeMerit 86), Bromby, Shittu (c), Sadler; Smith, O'Toole, Williamson, McAnuff (Stewart 81); Kabba, Ellington (Mariappa 81). Subs not used: Poom (gk), John.

COVENTRY CITY: (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Duffy (Mifsud 45), Fox, Dann, Ward; Osborne, Hughes (c), Doyle, Gray (Thornton 88); Best, Simpson (Hines 71). Subs not used: Marshall (gk), Hall.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Shittu (81). COVENTRY CITY; none.   

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

GOALS: WATFORD; Ellington (7), Smith (79). COVENTRY CITY; Gray (59).

REFEREE: D Deadman.

ATTENDANCE: 17,188 (1,484 Coventry supporters).