Click here for full match stats
Paul Shaw's 10th goal of the season was enough to keep Gillingham in the First
Division play-off picture and extend Watford's winless league run to seven
games.
A combination of the woodwork and poor finishing ensured a disappointing first
half remained goalless, but the visitors grabbed the winning goal just after the
hour.
Player-boss Andy Hessenthaler, making his 500th appearance in professional
football, crossed for Shaw to slam the ball home and move the Gills to within
seven points of sixth-placed Wolves.
Watford made one change to the side beaten at Grimsby, with Gary Fisken coming
in for Jamie Hand, while flu victim Mark Saunders and striker Guy Ipoua made way
for Simon Osborn and Tommy Johnson for the Gills.
The home side came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after just two
minutes - Gavin Mahon's stunning 25-yard strike crashing back off a post.
Heidar Helguson drilled a shot over the crossbar from six yards after 26
minutes.
At the other end Chris Hope's header from an Osborn free-kick was caught by
goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain.
Helguson, Watford's only goalscorer in five league games, had the best of the
early second half chances, forcing Jason Brown into a fine diving stop with a
low right-foot shot.
But it was Gillingham who snatched the lead in the 65th minute. Hessenthaler
saw his corner cleared, but at the second attempt he picked out Shaw, and the
forward thumped the ball home.
Striker Mamady Sidibe, returning from a thigh strain, came on with 20 minutes
remaining, and he spurned a glorious chance to make the game safe after 77
minutes when he volleyed wide from six yards.
Watford surged forward in search of a late equaliser, but Brown was alert to
push away Stephen Glass' curling free-kick from just outside the area.
Teams
Watford: Chamberlain, Ardley, Cox, Gayle, Robinson,
Fisken (McNamee 69), Hyde (Noel-Williams 76), Mahon, Glass,
Tommy Smith (Vernazza 85), Helguson.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Lee.
Booked: Gayle.
Gillingham: Brown, Southall, Nosworthy, Hope, Edge,
Hessenthaler, Smith, Osborn, Shaw, Wallace (Ipoua 89),
Tommy Johnson (Sidibe 71).
Subs Not Used: Bartram, Leon Johnson, Perpetuini.
Goals: Shaw 65.
Att: 10,492
Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
 E-mail Article  Print-Friendly
 Subscribe to RSS Feed
 Post to del.icio.us
 Facebook
|
