First-half goals from Paul Evans and Dean Windass gave Bradford a priceless victory over Watford as their improbable bid to avoid Division One relegation gathered pace.

Bryan Robson's side knew a win would move them to within six points of safety as well as keeping the pressure on their opponents - themselves only five points clear of the danger zone - and the Bantams responded with as dominant a performance as they have produced all season.

Nicky Summerbee returned to their starting line-up in place of Ronnie Wallwork, the two-goal hero of Saturday's win over Rotherham who has returned to West Brom after picking up a foot injury.

Watford boss Ray Lewington handed a debut to Paul Mayo in a new-look defence shorn of injured captain Neil Cox.

The hosts made a jittery start, and an uncharacteristic slip from David Wetherall let in Heidar Helguson only for the striker's shot to be deflected wide.

Bradford's nerves were settled just eight minutes into the game when Sean Dyche was penalised for handball and Evans thumped the resulting free-kick through Watford's defensive wall and past goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley.

Peter Atherton and Windass then sent ambitious shots over the bar, before the latter doubled Bradford's advantage after 22 minutes.

Windass was first to react to Evans' near-post corner and neatly swept the ball past Pidgeley from an acute angle.

With Watford on the ropes, Wetherall almost added another - but his header was superbly kept out by Pidgeley.

The visitors finally carved out their first chance moments before the interval, Helguson heading Neal Ardley's free-kick straight into the arms of the otherwise under-employed Nico Vaesen.

Bradford suffered a blow shortly after the restart when striker Danny Cadamarteri limped off to be replaced by Ben Muirhead, and they began to defend deeper as Watford tried to get a foothold in the game.

Gavin Mahon saw a shot blocked as the visitors pushed forward, before Lewington replaced the ineffectual Bruce Dyer with Lee Cook and Helguson with Scott Fitzgerald.

Mahon sent a tame volley wide before Fitzgerald missed his side's best chance of the match with 10 minutes remaining.

He rose unchallenged in the Bradford penalty area but could only nod Ardley's cross over Vaesen's crossbar as Bradford held on for three valuable points.

Teams

Bradford Vaesen, Atherton, Wetherall, Gavin, Francis, Summerbee, Evans, Emanuel (Forrest 88), Heckingbottom, Cadamarteri (Muirhead 49), Windass.

Subs Not Used: Combe, Kearney, Jacobs.

Booked: Gavin, Heckingbottom.

Goals: Evans 9, Windass 22.

Watford Pidgeley, Ifil, Doyley, Dyche, Mayo, Ardley (Vernazza 84), Hyde, Mahon, Devlin, Helguson (Fitzgerald 78), Dyer (Cook 65).

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Cox.

Booked: Hyde, Cook, Mahon.

Att: 17,143

Ref: T Parkes (W Midlands).