Watford 2 Preston 1

Harley nets for Watford.

Tommy Smith hit his 50th goal for Watford as they saw off a late surge from Preston to grab a much-needed Coca-Cola Championship win at Vicarage Road.

Sean St Ledger gave Alan Irvine's visitors an early lead before Jon Harley struck for the first time since September 2006.

The in-form Smith then put Adrian Boothroyd's side into a deserved lead and despite North End's constant pressure after the break the hosts held on for their first league win since the end of August.

The Hornets had captain Jay DeMerit back from a hamstring injury but his misjudgment almost let Neil Mellor in on goal in the first minute but alert goalkeeping from Richard Lee saved him.

North End had lost their last three games but it was Irvine's side who took advantage of slack defending to take a fifth-minute lead.

Ross Wallace's corner found its way back out to the midfielder and his deep cross was headed back into the middle by St Ledger.

Neil Mellor tried to hook the ball goalward and after striking a defender it landed in the stride of St Ledger who swept home delightfully across Lee from eight yards.

To their credit Boothroyd's side responded strongly and came within inches of an equaliser when great interplay down the left saw Mat Sadler whip a cross just in front of the sliding John-Joe O'Toole.

But the Hornets did draw level in the 12th minute through Harley.

Smith - so often Watford's best player - picked the ball up in his own half before playing a fantastic ball with the outside of his foot over St Ledger's head where Tamas Priskin had cleverly bent his run.

The striker helped the ball on to Harley on the left who calmly dispatched his half-volley first time across Andy Lonergan and into the far corner.

Priskin then tested Lonergan from 20 yards before Smith put the hosts in front in the 21st minute.

Will Hoskins showed good vision to hook the ball over the static Preston defence where Smith outpaced Jay McEveley. Lonergan saved his first effort but was helpless to prevent Smith from tapping in his fifth of the season.

Irvine took Mellor off at the break to introduce some pace in the form of Stephen Elliott. However, it was skipper Paul McKenna who had the first sight of goal, but his low shot was well blocked.

North End piled the pressure on but Darren Ward - making his second home debut for the club - was outstanding alongside DeMerit as the Hornets held firm.

Elliott had the best chance to claim a point but after a great touch took him clear of the prone DeMerit the Republic of Ireland international fired straight at Lee from the edge of the area.

Teams:

Watford: Lee, Sadler, DeMerit (Bromby 89), Ward, Mariappa, Williamson, Harley, O'Toole, Priskin (Henderson 79), Smith, Hoskins (Bangura 87).

Subs Not Used: Tyler, Ainsworth.

Goals: Harley 12, Smith 21.

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, McEveley, Sedgwick, Nicholson (Parkin 86), McKenna (Jarrett 73), Wallace, Brown, Mellor (Elliott 46).

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Carter.

Booked: St. Ledger, Brown.

Goals: St. Ledger 5.

Att: 14,087

Ref: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).