Jack Lester's 12th goal of the season just before half-time and another from
Andy Gray in injury time saw Sheffield United shrug off their FA Cup
disappointment and get their promotion push back on track.
Neil Warnock's side had taken only six points from a possible 21 during a poor
run of league form that saw them slip briefly out of the play-offs.
But Lester, preferred by boss Warnock to new loan signing Izale McLeod, lashed
home from close range to secure the Blades a second successive league win and
Gray scored his third in as many matches since arriving from Bradford, slotting
home from McLeod's pass in the third minute of time added on.
The visitors edged a high-tempo first half, but were forced onto the back foot
for much of the second as Watford dominated possession while creating few
scoring chances.
Michael Tonge was first to show when he sent a 25-yard shot over the crossbar
in the fourth minute, while centre-half Chris Morgan ghosted forward shortly
after to head Dries Boussatta's near-post corner narrowly wide for the
visitors.
Neal Ardley failed to get his header on target from Paul Devlin's cross as
Watford responded, but in a see-saw opening clear-cut chances were few and far
between.
Blades striker Lester, back in the starting line-up in place of Ashley Ward
for the first time since January due to a knee injury, saw his clever lob from
the edge of the penalty area drift wide.
Paul Mayo then caught the eye for Watford in only his second match since being
snapped up from Lincoln by Ray Lewington.
The young defender volleyed first-time from 30 yards from Ardley's cleared
corner, forcing Kenny into another smart save, while counterpart Lenny Pidgeley
pulled off an equally impressive stop when denying Lester's drive from the edge
of the area.
Kenny saved again from Heidar Helguson's close-range header before the Blades
snatched the lead just before half-time.
Two consecutive Boussatta corners had the home side on the back foot and after
they failed to clear the second Lester was first to react, lashing the ball home
from close range.
Phil Jagielka almost made it 2-0 when he drilled a 25-yard shot just over with
the last kick before the break.
Four minutes after the restart Wright let fly from 30 yards, but Pidgeley was
equal to it, while Kenny saved from Fitzgerald close-range effort and Mark
Rankine blocked a goalbound shot from Gavin Mahon as Watford rallied.
Lewington replaced Fitzgerald with Lee Cook as Watford looked to get back on
level terms, but although they dominated second-half possession, the Hornets
created little in front of goal.
Warnock withdrew Boussatta and sent on Paul Shaw to stiffen up his midfield
and soon after replaced Lester with McLeod.
But a flashing volley in the last minute from Bruce Dyer, a late replacement
for Helguson, was the closest Watford came to rescuing a point, while Gray
despatched McLeod's cross from close range to make sure for the Blades.
Teams
Watford Pidgeley, Doyley (Webber 71), Dyche, Ifil, Mayo,
Ardley, Hyde, Mahon, Fitzgerald (Cook 63), Devlin,
Helguson (Dyer 90).
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Vernazza.
Booked: Devlin, Helguson.
Sheff Utd Kenny, Phil Jagielka, Page, Morgan, Kozluk,
Boussatta (Shaw 72), Rankine, Tonge, Wright,
Lester (McLeod 77), Gray (Allison 90).
Subs Not Used: Ross, Forte.
Booked: Wright.
Goals: Lester 42, Gray 90.
Att: 13,861
Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook