Watford claimed their first win in six games but made hard work of overcoming
10-man Millwall.
Heidar Helguson's goal 15 minutes from time was enough to see off a Lions
outfit that had won four of their last five games and for whom Daniel Dichio was
dismissed eight minutes into the second half.
Both teams started in an edgy fashion and a Brynjar Gunnarsson shot which flew
wide of Millwall keeper Andy Marshall's goal was the only real action of note in
the opening 10 minutes.
Marvin Elliott then tested Paul Jones, but the keeper held his long-range
strike before Barry Hayles sent a header wide in the 15th minute after Jody
Morris had picked out the former Fulham striker.
Gavin Mahon went close for Watford with a volley over the bar, and Hornets
defender Neil Cox managed to block a Peter Sweeney drive as both sides struggled
to fashion any clear-cut chances.
Paul Devlin extended Marshall with a 35-yard shot which the Lions keeper clung
to, before Helguson missed an opportunity to give Watford the lead approaching
the half-hour mark.
Sweeney fouled midfielder Lloyd Doyley and Johnnie Jackson's free-kick from
the right eventually found the Icelandic forward who could only put a
close-range header over the top.
Watford were gaining the upper hand as half-time approached.
James Chambers sent a volley wide and Helguson nearly atoned for his earlier
miss but Marshall tipped the striker's header over the bar.
However, neither side could break the deadlock and went in at the interval
level.
Millwall manager Dennis Wise sent on Josh Simpson in place of Sweeney after
the break in a bid to shake things up and the Lions were first to threaten as
Danny Dichio headed wide.
Dichio then got his marching orders in the 53rd minute for a second bookable
offence after fouling Shaun Dyche, a challenge that ended the Watford defender's
afternoon as he left the field injured and was replaced by Danny Webber.
Ray Lewington's side were now showing more urgency as they tried to take
advantage of the extra man.
Millwall dealt with a succession of corners before Marshall kept out
Gunnarsson's close-range header from a Chambers cross and watched a Devlin
strike sail wide of his right-hand post.
However, the Lions' stubborn resistance was finally broken after 75 minutes.
Substitute Anthony McNamee, who had earlier replaced Jackson, broke down the
right and his cross was volleyed home by Helguson to give the home side the
lead.
Millwall went close to equalising with 10 minutes left. Mahon's foul on Hayles
allowed David Livermore a strike at goal but Jones pushed his free-kick around
the post.
Alan Dunne then hit the woodwork in stoppage time with a header before
Simpson's close-range volley rattled the frame of Jones' goal moments later but
Watford held on.
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