Paul Gallagher's brace was enough to see off Coca-Cola Championship relegation rivals Watford and secure back-to-back wins for Plymouth for the first time since mid-November.

The Pilgrims, whose shock victory at leaders Wolves on Saturday was only their second in 17 league attempts, had already hit the woodwork twice through youngster Ashley Barnes when Alan Judge was hauled down in the area by Gavin Hoyte shortly after the half-hour mark.

On-loan striker Gallagher subsequently fired the hosts into a half-time lead against a poor Hornets outfit, who had first-team coach Malky Mackay sent to the stands after the goal for something he appeared to say to a match official.

The visitors came alive after the break and substitute Tommy Smith levelled matters with his 14th goal of the season after a defensive blunder from the home side.

But Judge again set up Gallagher to fire home his fourth goal in three games with 17 minutes minutes remaining and secure three vital points for the Pilgrims in the battle for survival.

Both sides used the early stages to find their feet in difficult weather conditions as wind and rain swept through Home Park, but it proved to be an open start with both sides showing their attacking intent.

Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach was the busier of the two shot stoppers as the hosts enjoyed a series of half chances inside the opening 20 minutes.

Barnes, 19, then came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock when he turned neatly on the edge of the area and unleashed a superb strike that beat Loach but rebounded off the crossbar.

The chance inspired the home side further and Barnes, making only his second start for the club, could only watch in despair four minutes later as his header once again came back off the woodwork.

But Plymouth took a deserved lead in the 35th minute when Hoyte brought down Judge in the area and referee Nigel Miller had no option but to point to the spot, leaving Gallagher to fire home.

The decision proved too much for Mackay.

Plymouth marginally enjoyed the better of things at the start of the second half but it was midfielder Lee Williamson who came the closest for Watford after 54 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick that flew over the bar.

And the visitors were level just five minutes later thanks to Smith, who was introduced at half-time in place of Will Hoskins.

Pilgrims defenders Marcel Seip and Craig Cathcart were involved in a terrible mix-up allowing Smith to nip in, round goalkeeper Romain Larrieu and fire into the net.

Tamas Priskin headed over from close range for a confident Watford but it was Gallagher who put the home side back in front with 73 minutes on the clock.

Following a break down the right, the ball found its way to Judge and he crossed to the on-loan Blackburn marksman who had plenty of time and space to dink the ball over Loach.

Larrieu was forced to scramble the ball away to safety in the closing stages as Watford pressed for a second equaliser but it was not to be and the home side held on to move onto 42 points.

Teams

Plymouth Larrieu, Gray, Cathcart, Seip, Barker,Judge (Clark 79), Duguid, Fletcher, Mackie, Barnes,Gallagher (Fallon 85).

Subs Not Used: Paterson, Timar, Noone.

Goals: Gallagher 35 pen, 73.

Watford Loach, Hoyte, Mariappa, Mike Williamson, Doyley,Cowie (Rasiak 80), Jenkins, Lee Williamson, Harley (Cauna 74),Priskin, Hoskins (Smith 46).

Subs Not Used: Lee, Cork.

Booked: Mike Williamson.

Goals: Smith 59.

Att: 9,529

Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).