An Andy Gray penalty secured three points for Bradford as lacklustre Watford failed to shake off their FA Cup hangover at Valley Parade.

Gray stroked home the winner shortly before the interval as last weekend's beaten semi-finalists failed to raise themselves for a mid-table skirmish in Yorkshire.

Bradford came out of the blocks flying, and Claus Jorgensen saw a stunning 30-yard volley fly inches wide before the hosts capped a sustained period of pressure with the opening goal.

Dane Jorgensen was the beneficiary of Watford's failure to clear their lines from a 13th-minute corner.

Having seen his initial shot blocked by Paul Robinson, the midfielder found the space to nod Laurens Ten Heuvel's return ball past Hornets keeper Alec Chamberlain.

Watford boss Ray Lewington made six changes to the side that went down to Southampton at Villa Park and the recalled Tommy Smith fashioned their first chance, seeing his shot well saved by Aidan Davison.

Micah Hyde then came agonisingly close to hauling the visitors level, but his drilled long-range effort rattled the woodwork, before Heidar Helguson put two headers wide in quick succession from crosses from the hard-working Smith.

The Icelander made amends four minutes before the break, collecting the ball from Wayne Brown and coolly lobbing Davison, but within moments City took the lead again.

Sean Dyche's clumsy challenge on Jorgensen earned the hosts the penalty which was dispatched by Gray.

Scottish midfielder Gray had a golden opportunity to put the Bantams out of sight shortly after the restart, but he sent a weak header tamely wide from Gus Uhlenbeek's cross.

Gray forced another a good save from Chamberlain with a drilled shot before Helguson planted another header wide from Allan Nielsen's corner.

However, Watford were restricted to taking pot-shots from distance which failed to trouble the increasingly under-worked Davison as Bradford held on for the victory.

Teams

Bradford: Davison, Uhlenbeek, Wetherall, Molenaar, Bower, Emanuel, Atherton, Francis, Jorgensen, Gray, Ten Heuvel (Forrest 75).

Subs Not Used: Magnusson, Myers, Standing, Muirhead.

Goals: Jorgensen 13, Gray 43 pen.

Watford: Chamberlain, Mahon, Brown, Dyche, Robinson, Nielsen (Chopra 80), Johnson, Hyde (Hand 85), Cook (McNamee 81), Tommy Smith, Helguson.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Jack Smith.

Goals: Helguson 41.

Att: 11,145

Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).