A Kris Commons double gave Nottingham Forest's survival bid a huge boost as
they battled to a deserved Coca-Cola Championship victory over Watford.
The midfielder opened the scoring a minute before the interval with a 25-yard
shot which totally fooled young Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee, and settled an
otherwise dour affair with a close-range effort late in the second half.
The win leaves Gary Megson's side just three points from safety with a game in
hand on the sides around them.
Hornets boss Ray Lewington, boosted by the return to the starting line-up of
Brynjar Gunnarsson, dropped striker Danny Webber to the bench to leave Bruce
Dyer on his own in attack in a bid to stifle the visitors.
Forest playmaker David Friio failed a late fitness check and was replaced by
Paul Evans.
The midlanders created the first opening of the game when Wes Morgan was left
unmarked to meet Commons' corner, but the defender could only guide his header
over the crossbar.
Watford looked the likelier to break the deadlock in the opening stages
though, with recalled winger Hameur Bouazza giving Forest defender John Curtis a
torrid time with a couple of jinking runs.
James Chambers swung over a cross which Johnnie Jackson headed wide, while at
the other end Commons and Darryl Powell failed to test Lee with ambitious
long-range efforts.
Morgan forced Lee into action with a volley from another Commons corner,
before Commons' cross-shot had the home keeper scrambling until it went narrowly
over the top as Forest began to impose themselves.
The opening goal came 40 seconds from the end of the first half, when Commons
beat Jermaine Darlington before hitting a shot which Lee completely misread,
diving the wrong way as the ball flew past him.
Forest continued to dominate after the break, with Scott Dobie hitting a
half-volley over the bar and Commons heading straight at Lee.
Lewington, well aware his side could yet get sucked into a relegation scrap,
sent on Webber to keep Dyer company up front but Forest's midfield industry
meant the ball rarely reached the strike duo.
Commons squandered a chance to double Forest's advantage when he thumped a
free-kick straight at Lee, but he made amends 11 minutes from time.
Dobie fed the overlapping Powell down the left and his low cross eluded Lee
and was met by Commons, sliding in at the far post to notch his fifth goal of
the season.
Gavin Mahon forced a smart save from Paul Gerrard as Watford tried to get back
into the game, but Forest held on to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.
Teams:
Watford Lee, Chambers, Cox, Demerit, Darlington (Ardley 62),
Eagles (McNamee 72), Gunnarsson, Mahon, Jackson (Webber 56),
Bouazza, Dyer.
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Doyley.
Booked: Chambers.
Nottm Forest Gerrard, Curtis, Morgan, Melville, Doig, Perch,
Evans (Thompson 67), Powell, Commons, Dobie, Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Bopp, Gardner, Harris.
Goals: Commons 45, 79.
Att: 12,118
Ref: P Melin (Surrey).
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