Bradford went a long way towards top flight survival in a game which was never going to be a classic, but was in its own way so crucial.

Despite the victory, Bradford remain in the bottom three due to Southampton's win at home to Everton, but the confidence was back in boss Paul Jewell's side.

For Watford, they have now hit rock bottom in the Premiership as Sheffield Wednesday's revival continued with their success at Tottenham.

Graham Taylor's side now look destined for an immediate return to the First Division as they have won just one of their last 18 matches - a trend which shows no sign of reversing.

Their one truly creative moment in a must win match for both sides came via their equaliser when they scythed open the Bradford defence in the 33rd minute.

New Icelandic signing Heidar Helguson played a one-two with Xavier Gravelaine on the edge of the City area, the £1.5million capture then feeding a low ball into the heart of the six-yard box for Micah Hyde to slide home past Matthew Clarke.

Bradford had grabbed the opener eight minutes earlier when Dean Windass was bundled over in the area by both Paul Robinson and skipper Robert Page just as he was racing through onto a Dean Saunders flick header.

Referee Paul Alcock immediately pointed to the spot, despite the vehement protests of the Watford players, which led to Des Lyttle being booked for dissent.

After the melee, Peter Beagrie then sent Alec Chamberlain the wrong way from the spot for only his second goal of the season and his first since August 14, leading to his customary cartwheel and backflip.

After conceding the equaliser, it then took just five minutes for Bradford to regain the lead as Gareth Whalley scored his first goal since March 20.

Midfielder Whalley had made just one appearance in the last four month prior to today as he had simply been out of favour, but he was back in the side as Jewell had promised changes after last week's disappointing defeat at Hillsborough.

Whalley then conjured up the go-ahead goal courtesy of a long-range speculative shot which bobbled badly in front of Chamberlain who could only touch the ball onto the post before it hit the net.

Centre-back Andy O'Brien then got in on the act when he scored his first goal of the season shortly after the break with a header into the roof of the net from a Peter Beagrie corner.

As Watford pressed for a lifeline it led to two superb saves from Clarke from substitute Tommy Smith and Robinson, the latter involving a collision which saw Clarke stretchered off.

Aidan Davison, on-loan from Sheffield United due to a long-term injury to Gary Walsh, then took over in goal for the final 15 minutes.

When Helguson then scored his second goal in two games following his recent move in the 87th minute, it made for a heart-stopping last few moments for Bradford, although they remain unbeaten at home in the league since October 2.

Teams

Bradford: Clarke (Davison 74), Halle, Wetherall, O'Brien, Jacobs, Lawrence, McCall, Whalley (Redfearn 77), Beagrie, Windass, Saunders (Westwood 90).

Subs Not Used: Blake, Sharpe.

Goals: Beagrie 25 pen, Whalley 37, O'Brien 49.

Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Page, Palmer, Robinson, Lyttle, Miller (Smith 68), Hyde, Perpetuini (Bonnot 68), Helguson, Gravelaine.

Subs Not Used: Day, Smart, Gudmundsson.

Booked: Lyttle.

Goals: Hyde 33, Helguson 88.

Att: 16,864.

Ref: P Alcock (Halstead).