Goals from Junior and Jorge Leitao helped ease Walsall's relegation worries with a comfortable win over Watford at the Bescot Stadium.

Both sides were desperate for the points with Watford keen to boost their play-off chances.

Watford's Alec Chamberlain was the first goalkeeper to be called into action when he dealt with a header from Junior.

Moments later James Walker made his first clearance, denying Heidar Helguson.

Watford were coming more into the game and Jason Norville, who was making his full senior debut, saw his 18-yard effort go wide while Glass' 25-yard shot was blocked by Darren Bazeley.

But it was the home side who drew first blood against the run of play when Chamberlain failed to deal with a cross from Bazeley and the ball fell to David Zdrilic, who flicked the ball on to Junior for him to head into an empty net for his first goal in 10 games.

The goal gave Walsall a boost and they created plenty of chances to put themselves further ahead before the end of the half with debutant Carl Robinson going close on a number of occasions.

Walsall - without Vinny Samways who is waiting for international clearance - continued to press forward in the second half with Bazeley's cross cleared by Marcus Gayle and Steve Corica's inswinging corner cleared by Jamie Hand.

Watford started to come back into the game with Stephen Glass missing a hatful of chances to draw level while Heidar Helguson's 18-yard effort was caught by Walker.

Gifton Noel-Williams, who went on to replace Norville, also saw his six-yard effort go wide.

The Saddlers finally sealed all three points when substitute Leitao added the second. Walsall cleared a Watford corner and Pedro Matias' cross found Leitao who headed home.

Teams

Walsall Walker, Bazeley, Hay (Carbon 18), Roper, Aranalde, Corica, Robinson, Simpson, Wrack, Zdrilic, Junior (Leitao 63), Carbon (Matias 73).

Subs Not Used: Ward, Sonner.

Booked: Junior, Roper.

Goals: Junior 25, Leitao 86.

Watford Chamberlain, Doyley (Nielsen 85), Gayle, Brown, Ardley, Hand (McNamee 79), Mahon, Hyde, Glass, Norville (Noel-Williams 58), Helguson.

Subs Not Used: Vernazza, Lee.

Booked: Helguson.

Att: 7,705

Ref: P Crossley (Kent).