Darius Henderson grabbed a second-half double as Watford destroyed Southampton to leapfrog Leeds into third spot in the Coca-Cola Championships and enhance their automatic promotion prospects.

Skipper Gavin Mahon put the Hornets on their way with a third-minute opener before Henderson took centre stage with a second-half double.

Peter Madsen claimed a late consolation strike for the beleaguered Saints but Adrian Boothroyd's side were always in control.

This success elevated them above Leeds and to within three points of faltering Sheffield United and keeps their hopes of a top-two finish well and truly alive.

Hornets captain Mahon led by example as his neat finish broke Southampton's brittle resistance with just three minutes played.

Richard Chaplow, currently on loan at Saints from West Brom, fouled Jordan Stewart and the Hornets midfielder dusted himself down before flighting in a deep free-kick which found its way to Marlon King on the right flank.

The in-form striker delivered a dangerous low cross which Southampton failed to clear as the ball skidded across the face of goal to the far post.

There Mahon was left unmarked to coolly side-foot home his third goal of the season past his former Brentford team-mate and goalkeeper Paul Smith.

It was another disastrous start for Saints boss George Burley, whose tenure at St Mary's began with a 3-0 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day.

Burley's Derby side emerged as the surprise package of the Championship last season, but Watford have undoubtedly claimed that tag in style this term.

With 11 minutes played Ashley Young, whose creativity has been a keynote of Watford's season as much as his goals, engineered a clear sight of goal for Matthew Spring.

The tricky winger fired in a low cross from the left flank which found Spring but the former Leeds midfielder could only blaze wildly over when well placed.

Moments later Chaplow fired over from 12 yards and midway through the opening period Henderson met Young's inswinging free-kick with a firm header but failed to find the target.

However, Southampton gradually gained a foothold on proceedings and began to push Watford back into their own half, though failed to create any noteworthy goalscoring opportunities.

But three minutes before the break Watford's direct approach almost paid dividends once again as Henderson chested down a long ball and hit a 20-yard volley inches over.

Saints continued to battle gamely enough after the restart but two goals in five minutes from Henderson put paid to their fading hopes.

With 67 minutes played, a deep free-kick from Stewart ricocheted off a couple of Southampton defenders and found its way to King inside the Saints' 18-yard box.

King unselfishly squared the ball across the face of goal to give strike partner Henderson the easiest of tap-ins from just six yards.

He claimed his 12th goal of the season five minutes later when Young's free-kick was nodded across the face of goal by King, and Henderson was again the beneficiary as he planted a firm header into the far corner.

Madsen fired home with five minutes remaining but the boos ringing around St Mary's at the final whistle confirmed this was Watford's night as their Premiership dream stayed firmly on course.

Teams:

Southampton Smith, Ostlund, Kenton, Higginbotham, Brennan,Baird, Chaplow (Jones 45), Wright (Kosowski 80), Surman,Rasiak, Madsen.

Subs Not Used: Miller, Blackstock, Cranie.

Goals: Madsen 85.

Watford Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Mackay, Stewart,Eagles (Bangura 67), Mahon, Spring, Young,Henderson (Chambers 90), King.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Carlisle, McNamee.

Booked: DeMerit.

Goals: Mahon 3, Henderson 67, 72.

Att: 19,202

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).