Two goals from Tommy Mooney helped to bring Watford only their second victory in 10 games as they kept up the pressure for a Division One promotion play-off place.

Watford striker Mooney hit his 18th and 19th goals of the season to dent Forest's own play-off hopes as Watford completed the double over David Platt's side.

The Hornets should have been comfortably in the driving s a spirited and inventive first half.

But thene goal to show for their endeavours by then.ommy Smith broke down the right on 20 minutes and was unchallenged as he crossed into the centre where Gifton Noel-Williams steered his header beyond Dave Beasant.

Forest looked outgunned and were further behind two minutes into the second half.

A Neil Cox free-kick bounced off a defender, and Mooney turned to drive the ball into the corner of the net beyond the unsighted goalkeeper.

Forest clicked up into top gear as they sought to get back into the game and they had the chaces to level the game.

First Stern John missed the target when enali's cross put him in with a great chance, avid Johnson also clipped the ball wide from another good opening.

Forest regretted those misses when Steve Palmer knocked the ball forward in the 72nd minute for Mooney to hold off a challenge from Christian Edwards and put the ball inside the near post.

For Watford it was their first clean sheet at home since November - courtesy of some indifferent Forest finishing.

Teams:

Watford: Baardsen, Cox, Robinson, Ward, Page, Wooter (Hyde 67), Palmer, Nielsen, Mooney, Noel-Williams (Helguson 89), Smith (Vernazza 79).

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Smart.

Goals: Noel-Williams 21, Mooney 47, 73.

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Benali, Bart-Williams, Hjelde, Scimeca, Edwards (Doig 79), Prutton, Jones, Gray, David Johnson, John.

Subs Not Used: Roche, Harewood, Edds, Williams.

Booked: Hjelde.

Att: 13,651

Ref: W Burns (Scarborough).