Tamas Priskin continued his goal streak as Watford's resurgence in the Coca-Cola Championship continued with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

The Watford striker notched his seventh strike in his last eight appearances just before half-time as Brendan Rodgers' side continued their climb away from danger.

Strike partner Grzegorz Rasiak took advantage of some awful defending to give the Hornets the lead but Forest came back into the game and deserved the parity given to them by Matt Thornhill's calm finish.

But Rodgers can take great credit for the transformation in Priskin's game since he took over at Vicarage Road in November and his latest goal proved enough to give Watford their fifth win in the last six games.

The home side were without their best player in forward Tommy Smith, who picked up a knee injury in the 3-2 win at Charlton on Saturday. It was the first league game Smith had missed all season.

Forest winger Gary McSheffrey went close to the most spectacular goal of the season when he drilled a shot from kick-off that nearly caught Scott Loach out in the Watford goal but drifted narrowly over.

However the hosts took the lead with their first attack in the fifth minute after Kelvin Wilson had cynically fouled Priskin.

Don Cowie's free-kick was headed toward goal by Adrian Mariappa but was well blocked.

Ross Jenkins helped it back in and Rasiak was free to calmly loop a header slowly over Paul Smith in the Forest goal from the edge of the six-yard box.

Forest defender Wes Morgan then flashed a header wide before Thornhill struck out of nothing to equalise in the 17th minute.

Nathan Tyson helped the ball forward to McSheffrey who had made a run into the area. He laid the ball off into the run of Thornhill who nonchalantly side-footed a powerful shot past Loach and into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Both sides fashioned chances before Priskin scored in the 43rd minute.

A long ball forward was chested down by the Hungarian and a quick one-two with Rasiak sent him clear of the substitute Ian Breckin.

The striker had an age to weigh up his options but had the air of a man in form as he calmly drew Smith out and passed the ball to his left.

Forest boss Billy Davies replaced the hapless Breckin at the break, throwing on Robert Earnshaw in a bid to get back in the game.

Priskin - unrecognisable from the goal-shy forward of just a few months ago - then got the half under way with a fine drag back and shot which was deflected just over.

And the Hornets should have had a third from the resulting corner.

Jobi McAnuff's deep delivery was headed back down by Mike Williamson for Rasiak just five yards out but Smith did well to smother his volley.

Another fabulous flick from Priskin then sent Jack Cork in and his stinging shot just cleared the crossbar.

Teams

Watford Loach, Doyley, Mariappa, Mike Williamson, Harley,Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Jenkins, Priskin,Rasiak (Lee Williamson 90).

Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Cauna, Parkes.

Booked: Harley.

Goals: Rasiak 5, Priskin 43.

Nottm Forest Smith, Chambers, Wilson, Morgan,Lynch (Breckin 21), McGugan, McCleary, Moussi (Osbourne 55),Thornhill, Tyson, McSheffrey, Breckin (Earnshaw 46).

Subs Not Used: Gamble, Garner.

Booked: Tyson.

Goals: Thornhill 17.

Att: 14,730

Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).