A first-half strike from Akos Buzsaky edged Plymouth a step nearer to Coca-Cola Championship survival and left Watford deep in relegation trouble.

The Hungarian midfielder lashed home a Tony Capaldi cross in the 10th minute to decide a tense six-pointer at Home Park.

The victory extended the Pilgrims' unbeaten home record to a healthy six matches as they put some much needed breathing space between themselves and the dreaded drop zone.

The win also marked Plymouth's first home success against Watford since 1989 and left new Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd still looking for his first three points since taking over last month.

The two sides started the game separated only by goal difference at the wrong end of the Championship table and, unsurprisingly, both were up for the challenge from the first whistle.

Watford's veteran striker Bruce Dyer set pulses racing early on when he saw his 20-yard drive cannon back off the woodwork in just the fourth minute.

The visitors started well and enjoyed the early territorial advantage but they were then rocked as they fell behind in the 10th minute.

A quick Plymouth free-kick found its way to Capaldi, who crossed for Buzsaky to thump home his first goal since joining on loan from European champions Porto in January.

Hasney Aljofree and Capaldi then went close to doubling the advantage as the hosts tried to kill their opponents off early on.

But the Hornets were determined to find a way back into the match and the returning Helguson headed over a Lloyd Doyley cross as the game swung from end to end.

Micky Evans' stinging strike tested Watford keeper Richard Lee in the 35th minute but it finished 1-0 at the interval.

Boothroyd's side came out of the dressing room with a point to prove and forced two early corners as they went in search of an equaliser.

But again it was the hosts who began to seize the initiative as Paul Wotton flashed a 20-yard drive over the crossbar.

But chances were few and far between in the second period, with Argyle desperate to defend their slender advantage.

The obvious tension became reflected in the pattern of the match, with both sides struggling to trouble their opponents' goal.

On-loan Southampton forward Dexter Blackstock tried his luck from distance in the 66th minute but succeeded only in becoming the latest player to see a long-range drive career wide of the target.

Boothroyd threw on both Anthony McNamee and Hameur Bouazza for the final 10 minutes but it was not enough to salvage a point.

Teams:

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Coughlan, Aljofree, Dodd, Norris, Wotton, Buzsaky, Capaldi (Taylor 79), Evans (Chadwick 55), Blackstock (Lasley 90).

Subs Not Used: Doumbe, Gilbert.

Booked: Evans, Buzsaky.

Goals: Buzsaky 10.

Watford Lee, Doyley, Cox (Young 56), DeMerit, Chambers, Eagles, Blizzard, Gunnarsson (McNamee 84), Mahon, Helguson, Dyer (Bouazza 84).

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Smith.

Booked: Dyer, Blizzard.

Att: 15,333

Ref: C Penton (Sussex).