A second-half penalty from John Hills was enough to secure maximum points for Gillingham in a lacklustre clash at Priestfield.

Watford striker Heidar Helguson had the best chance of a first 45 minutes lacking in clear-cut chances as he headed against the crossbar, but it was the home side who came out on top after the break.

Kevin James was brought down in the area in the 56th minute, and Hills powered home the only goal of the afternoon.

A James free-kick hit a post shortly afterwards, but the Gills were still comfortable winners.

Gillingham had come flying out of the blocks as James' third-minute volley forced a fine save from Lenny Pidgeley and Paul Smith flashed a shot inches over the crossbar from David Perpetuini's corner.

Watford hit back, however, and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute.

Hills was booked for a late challenge on Paul Devlin, and from the resulting free-kick, Neal Ardley picked out Helguson, whose close-range header crashed back off the woodwork.

Goalkeeper Nico Vaesen, making his debut after joining on loan from Birmingham, was called into action for the first time after 24 minutes, denying Helguson with his legs when the striker was clean through.

And Danny Webber then sent a fierce right-footed drive past the upright as the visitors began to dominate.

The half descended into a midfield scrap, though, with a speculative Hills strike from 35 yards the closest either side came before the break.

It was much the same at the start of the second half, before the home side were gifted the opening goal.

Ardley brought down James in the penalty area, and Hills made no mistake from the spot, smashing the ball into the top corner.

The Hornets almost grabbed an equaliser from the kick-off, but Vaesen was equal to Jamie Hand's snap-shot, while at the other end, the Gills came within inches of doubling their advantage.

Helguson had his name taken for a poor tackle on James, and the youngster dusted himself down before smashing a 20-yard free-kick against a post.

Danny Spiller should have made the game safe in the 85th minute with a shot from six yards which Pidgeley parried to safety, while player-manager Andy Hessenthaler also spurned a golden opportunity in injury time.

Teams:

Gillingham Vaesen, Nosworthy, Cox, Hope, Hills, Hessenthaler, Smith, Perpetuini (Saunders 76), Shaw (Tommy Johnson 87), James (Spiller 79), Sidibe.

Subs Not Used: Bossu, Leon Johnson.

Booked: Hills, Perpetuini, James.

Goals: Hills 56 pen.

Watford Pidgeley, Mahon, Cox, Gayle, Brown, Devlin, Ardley, Vernazza (Cook 63), Hand (Hyde 86), Helguson, Webber (Dyer 76).

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Dyche.

Booked: Helguson.

Att: 8,971

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).