Goals from Mike Williamson and Tamas Priskin earned in-form Watford a 2-0 win at Blackpool to enhance their Coca-Cola Championship survival prospects.

A lively opening to the game soon petered out as the sides played out a goalless and largely un-entertaining first half.

Both sides appeared rejuvenated after the break and it was visitors Watford who broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when defender Williamson powered home his header from Jobi McAnuff's corner.

Priskin had been a constant menace to the Blackpool defence and, after several near misses, got the goal his performance deserved as he lobbed home to make it 2-0 and earn his side three points in the 85th minute.

The result lifts the Hornets up to 18th place and continues their fine form under manager Brendan Rodgers.

The reverse fixture in November produced a seven-goal thriller as former loanee Alan Gow snatched an injury-time winner to earn Blackpool all three points in a dramatic encounter at Vicarage Road.

And today's game started out where that had left off, Roy O'Donovan going close after three minutes for the home side before Priskin sent a volley from the edge of the area narrowly wide for Watford a minute later.

Seasiders striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher's first-time effort then forced visiting goalkeeper Scott Loach into action in the 14th minute when he parried the ball to safety as the home side began to gain a foothold in the game.

Former Birmingham striker DJ Campbell, rejuvenated since his loan move from League One side Leicester, once again appeared sharp and his long range drive whistled over the crossbar soon after.

Caretaker Blackpool manager Tony Parkes named an unchanged starting line-up as his side looked to record just their third win of 2009 off the back of the midweek 4-1 defeat at Derby.

Watford boss Brendan Rodgers also opted not to tinker with his starting XI having recorded three wins in their last four league games to move them a point clear of the relegation zone.

The Seasiders continued to press but struggled to open up the much-improved Watford defence as former Faroe Islands international Claus Bech Jorgensen had two shots blocked in quick succession as the half-time whistle drew nearer.

Both sides emerged from the tunnel determined to open the goalscoring as O'Donovan had a shot heroically blocked by Williamson before Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks comfortably gathered Priskin's spectacular overhead kick.

And it was not long before the deadlock was broken and it was the visitors who made the vital breakthrough.

After a period of attacking pressure, McAnuff's incisive inswinging corner found defender Williamson who powered his header into the back of the net from 12 yards out to give his side a 52nd-minute lead.

The goal gave the match a new lease of life and almost immediately Blackpool broke in search of an equaliser but Campbell's drilled effort cleared the bar.

But it was Watford who were in the ascendancy with McAnuff's deliveries causing chaos in the Blackpool defence - Jack Cork and Don Cowie both going close with headers.

The home side struggled to get back into the game as Watford dominated possession.

And Watford got the decisive goal their play deserved with just six minutes remaining when livewire striker Priskin was played through by McAnuff before lofting the ball delicately over the stranded Gilks to make it 2-0.

Teams

Blackpool: Gilks, Baptiste, Barker, Edwards, Crainey, O'Donovan (Owens 66), Fox (Ormerod 60), Jorgensen, Vaughan, Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Coid, Evatt.

Booked: O'Donovan.

Watford: Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit, Mike Williamson, Doyley, Cowie (Harley 81), Cork, Jenkins, McAnuff, Priskin (Lee Williamson 86), Smith.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Hoskins.

Booked: Mike Williamson, Priskin.

Goals: Mike Williamson 54, Priskin 85.

Att: 7,451

Ref: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).