A Graham Alexander penalty and a Sean Dyche red card combined to leave FA Cup quarter-finalists Watford without a Nationwide Division One win in five outings.

Dyche conceded the spot-kick that split the teams after 19 minutes - bringing down Chris Lucketti and earning a booking for his protestations.

And the Watford defender's evening was brought to a premature end in the 32nd minute when his hefty challenge on Preston keeper Jonathan Gould led to a 16-man brawl and a second yellow card.

The match had been evenly poised up until the penalty - Gary Fisken and Alexander exchanging a couple of shots from distance - but when Dyche's first indiscretion handed Alexander the much easier chance from 12 yards, the defender's blast down the middle was emphatic.

Hornets striker Jason Norville had a great chance to level after 27 minutes when he failed to make a proper connection from six yards out.

Dyche's rush of blood to the head then left the hosts with a mountain to climb.

Preston used their extra man to assume the lion's share of possession, while Watford were forced into playing on the break.

But the visitors still struggled to create clear-cut chances and were almost caught out when Norville volleyed over when well placed moments before the break.

A superb tip over the bar from Watford keeper Richard Lee prevented Marlon Broomes doubling Preston's lead with a 25-yard drive straight after the restart.

The home side maintained a threat of their own and almost levelled in the 55th minute when Gould saved a Gifton Noel-Williams header right beneath his crossbar.

Gould's opposite number Lee was able to keep Watford in the hunt when Eddie Lewis put his close-range effort too close to the keeper before Richard Cresswell blasted over when clean through.

But Preston had already done enough to secure their second 1-0 away win in four days.

Teams

Watford: Lee, Ardley, Dyche, Brown, Robinson, Hand, Fisken (McNamee 72), Mahon (Vernazza 80), Glass (Godfrey 86), Noel-Williams, Norville.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Doyley.

Sent Off: Dyche (32).

Booked: Dyche, Hand.

Preston: Gould, Alexander, Broomes, Lucketti, Jackson, Cartwright (Mears 77), McKenna (Skora 45), O'Neil, Lewis, Koumantarakis, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Rankine, Lynch.

Goals: Alexander 19 pen.

Att: 11,101

Ref: J Ross (Essex).