Heidar Helguson marked his return to the Watford starting line-up with an early goal to put the hosts on course for victory over Preston.

The inconsistent Hornets came flying out of the blocks and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when the Iceland international headed home.

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley doubled the hosts' advantage just after the hour mark before England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach showed a safe pair of hands to ensure the Hornets held on to take the points.

Helguson was making his first start since returning to Vicarage Road on loan from QPR almost two months ago, having made a substitute appearance in last weekend's 5-0 defeat at West Brom following a calf problem.

Preston were also able to welcome back a key player, with captain Callum Davidson in the side for the first time since September after recovering from a torn hamstring he suffered on international duty with Scotland.

But it was Helguson who made an immediate impact, carving out a chance for Danny Graham to fire wide early on.

He showed his strike partner the way to goal in the ninth minute, heading home Don Cowie's cross from close range.

Graham saw another early effort saved by visiting goalkeeper Andy Lonergan shortly after team-mate Craig Cathcart had headed wide as the hosts, clearly keen to prove a point following their thumping last week, made a strong start.

The Hornets, who had looked at the top of their game in their 4-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday prior to the Baggies defeat, continued to create chances with John Eustace forcing Lonergan into a fine save before Cleverley failed to hit the target with a couple of efforts.

Lonergan had to be on top form to prevent the hosts from running away with it as he denied Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury and defender Adrian Mariappa.

But he was helpless to prevent the Hornets doubling their lead in the 33rd minute when Lansbury played through Cleverley, who found the net.

Striker Jon Parkin had two chances to reduce the deficit before the break but saw his strike parried away by Loach before another effort in first-half stoppage time hit a post and went wide.

A Cleverley handball presented the visitors with a chance to get back into the game shortly after the break, but Loach was equal to Ross Wallace's free-kick.

The hosts should of been three up after the hour mark but Helguson failed to hit the target with a close-range header after latching onto a Lansbury cross.

Wallace was denied by Loach again and Cowie sent a strike over the bar from the edge of the area at the other end.

Cowie then found John Eustace with an outswinging corner but the midfielder saw his header blocked by Parkin as Watford ran out comfortable winners.

Teams:

Watford Loach, Hodson, Mariappa, Cathcart, Doyley, Lansbury,Cowie, Eustace, Cleverley (Harley 73), Graham (Henderson 83),Helguson (Ellington 71).

Subs Not Used: Bond, Bennett, Bryan, Severin.

Booked: Lansbury, Helguson.

Goals: Helguson 9, Cleverley 33.

Preston Lonergan, Hart, Collins, Chilvers,Davidson (Parry 66), Sedgwick (Brown 72), Shumulikoski, Jones,Wallace, Parkin, Mellor (Elliott 66).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Nolan, Mawene, Carter.

Booked: Hart, Parkin.

Att: 13,524

Ref: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).