Watford kept their hopes of automatic promotion alive as Chris Eagles' long-range lob secured a 1-0 win over Brighton at the Withdean Stadium.

Eagles took advantage of a mistake by Brighton goalkeeper Wayne Henderson to find the net and help the Hornets bounce straight back from a 2-1 midweek defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds.

Brighton steadied themselves after a spell of early Watford pressure and might have taken the lead when Alexandre Frutos' cross found Kerry Mayo, whose drilled left-footed shot was blocked by Malky Mackay.

Undeterred, Frutos broke once again and crossed, this time finding Sebastien Carole but the Frenchman's right-foot shot was athletically saved by veteran goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain.

Watford's creativity seemed to wane as the half drew on but Albion looked lively as Carole crashed a 25-yard screamer onto Chamberlain's crossbar with 20 minutes played.

Hameur Bouazza's endeavour throughout the half almost paid off when his rising drive from the edge of the area was parried by Henderson but Brighton held firm.

With 10 minutes to go to half time, Colin Kazim-Richards burst clear of the Watford defence and looked certain to score, only to see his shot blocked by the palms of Chamberlain.

At the other end, Ashley Young's corner picked out the head of Matthew Spring, but the midfielder put his header wide.

Young went close to giving his side the lead when he attempted to lob Henderson from the edge of the area but the goalkeeper was agile enough to make an athletic save.

Henderson, however, was caught napping moments later when he tried to clear his lines with a header and the ball dropped to Eagles, who floated a delightful lob over the goalkeeper's head and into the net from over 30 yards out.

Brighton went in search of an equaliser after the break but Kazim-Richards' 20-yard effort lacked accuracy and it flew wide.

Watford worked hard to contain their hosts' attempts at launching a fightback but Frutos broke free on the hour mark to lash a 20-yard volley just wide.

That proved to be Albion's last clear sight of goal for some time as Watford piled forward in search of a second.

Lloyd Doyley was first to draw a brilliant save from Henderson with a shot from 20 yards, before Spring sent a volley scorching just wide from 25 yards out.

Watford top-scorer Marlon King should have wrapped up the win when the ball dropped to him in space inside the area but his low shot was easily cleared by Guy Butters.

Henderson continued to make up for his earlier error when he made a stunning save, diving to his left to parry Young's powerful drive and he was at his best once again moments later as he saved and held James Chambers' close-range shot.

The Brighton custodian had more than made amends for gifting Watford the lead after a superb display in the closing stages but it was not enough to earn Brighton a share of the points.

Teams:

Brighton Henderson, Mayo, Butters, El-Abd, McShane, Hammond,Carole (Reid 74), Frutos, Gatting (Robinson 79), Hart,Kazim-Richards.

Subs Not Used: Nicolas, Martin, McPhee.

Booked: McShane, Frutos.

Watford Chamberlain, Stewart (Carlisle 87), Mackay, DeMerit,Doyley, Eagles (Chambers 70), Mahon, Bouazza (Bangura 70),Spring, Young, King.

Subs Not Used: McNamee, Ma-Kalambay.

Booked: Mahon, Young.

Goals: Eagles 45.

Att: 6,658

Ref: P Crossley (Kent).