Hameur Bouazza marked his full debut with the goal which set Watford on their way to victory over Preston at Vicarage Road.
If the 18-year-old French striker - a late substitute in last week's draw against Sunderland - struck against the run of play nine minutes before the interval, Paul Devlin's well-taken late effort was no more than Watford deserved
for their second-half dominance.
Not only did the result end Watford's search for a win this year, but it represented a significant improvement in their defensive record, having conceded
14 goals in four games going into this encounter.
Preston manager Craig Brown, on the other hand, is left to reflect on only a second defeat in 10 league matches, and a missed opportunity to climb into the play-off places with Sunderland not involved in league action this weekend.
It was indicative of the lack of clear-cut opportunities early on that the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was a deflected shot from Watford striker Scott Fitzgerald which dropped narrowly the wrong side of Andy
Lonergan's post.
Preston fashioned their first chance of the game in the 18th minute, Eddie Lewis forcing a fine, fingertip save from Lenny Pidgeley after good work by Paul
McKenna and Ricardo Fuller.
The impressive Fuller also set up Richard Cresswell - it took a brave block by Neil Cox to preserve the status quo - and just failed to supply the finishing
touch to a superb solo run which took him past four Watford players.
Neal Ardley crossed for Fitzgerald to head wide as Watford continued to show glimpses of their attacking threat, and the fears of the North End fans were
realised when Jack Smith's cross found its way into the path of Bouazza, who beat Lonergan from close range.
Preston were fortunate not to fall two goals behind late in the first half, Bouazza shooting wide when well placed.
Devlin's wayward drive represented the first attempt on goal after the break, and Lewis got his body in the way of an Ardley volley in the 54th minute.
The visitors were also thankful for a spectacular reflex stop by Lonergan to deny Micah Hyde, whose fierce shot seemed destined to hit the back of the net
until the goalkeeper turned it around the post.
Preston's difficulty in regaining a foothold in the match was underlined by the fact Graham Alexander's ambitious 20-yard drive was their best opportunity
for an equaliser during a second period which failed to live up to the first.
But their hopes of salvaging a point were dashed 10 minutes from time by Devlin, who capitalised on hesitancy in the North End defence to collect Jerel
Ifil's clearance and lift the ball calmly over the advancing Lonergan.
Teams
Watford: Pidgeley, Cox, Dyche, Ifil, Smith, Ardley, Hyde,
Mahon, Fitzgerald, Devlin (Dyer 89), Bouazza (Cook 69).
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Vernazza, Doyley.
Booked: Bouazza, Cox.
Goals: Bouazza 36, Devlin 80.
Preston: Lonergan, Alexander, Jackson, Broomes (Edwards 76),
Mears, McKenna (O'Neil 54), Keane (Burley 76), Lewis, Fuller,
Healy, Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Gould.
Att: 12,675
Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).
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