Crystal Palace are staring at another season in the Coca-Cola Championship after being thrashed at home by Watford in their play-off semi-final first leg.

With the return at Vicarage Road still to come, the Hornets are virtually certain to progress to the final against either Leeds or Preston thanks to second-half goals from Marlon King, Ashley Young and Matthew Spring.

But Palace have only themselves to blame for facing such an imposing deficit.

Jobi McAnuff, Andrew Johnson and Clinton Morrison all missed first-half chances, allowing Watford to seize the initiative through King's snap-shot, Young's brilliant free-kick and Spring's late solo effort.

Despite starting the stronger Palace had goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly to thank for keeping the scores level in the sixth minute, the Hungarian saving from King after Tony Popovic had misjudged the bounce of goalkeeper Ben Foster's long clearance.

From that moment, though, it was Palace who looked far more dangerous and cohesive in attack.

McAnuff forced Foster to push his low 15-yard drive around the post in the 11th minute and Johnson missed a terrific chance to give Palace the lead four minutes later, guiding an angled effort just wide from seven yards.

Morrison then believed he had been pulled back by Jay DeMerit as he tried to race on to a long clearance from the back but referee Mike Jones - much to Palace's disgust - allowed play to continue.

Morrison's frustration was compounded shortly afterwards when his 20-yard shot flew agonisingly wide after Johnson's dummy.

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd switched from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 for the second half, bringing on Al Bangura for Darius Henderson to give his team greater solidity in midfield.

And the change paid immediate dividends when King collected a goal-kick from Foster, shook off Darren Ward and hit a low shot from 20 yards that went in off the right post.

Although Popovic forced Foster to push over his header in the 48th minute, Palace's confidence wilted after the goal and they posed Watford's defence far fewer problems than they had managed before half-time.

Instead, it was Boothroyd's men were celebrating again after 65 minutes.

Watford won a free-kick 25 yards from goal and Young curled a wonderful right-footed effort Kiraly could only help into his goal.

Palace were stunned and they twice came close to conceding another goal as King and Spring both went close.

The home side found another wave of energy 20 minutes from time. Foster saved with his legs from Emmerson Boyce, and Ben Watson and substitute Dougie Freedman both had point-blank shots blocked.

But in the 85th minute, Spring completed Palace's misery when he collected a loose ball on the right, drove into the penalty area and lashed the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Teams:

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Ward (Butterfield 65), Popovic,Fitz Hall, Boyce, Watson, Hughes, Soares (Freedman 65),McAnuff, Johnson, Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Leigertwood, Reich, Speroni.

Booked: Popovic, Fitz Hall.

Watford Foster, Stewart, Mackay, DeMerit, Doyley,Chambers (Eagles 83), Mahon, Young, Spring,Henderson (Bangura 45), King.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, McNamee, Mariappa.

Booked: Spring, Stewart, Chambers.

Goals: King 46, Young 67, Spring 85.

Att: 22,880

Ref: M Jones (W Yorkshire).