Darius Henderson was the hero as 10-man Watford ground out an ugly but potentially priceless win over hapless Leicester to maintain their position at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Henderson was on hand to prod in from two yards in first-half stoppage time minutes after Hornets midfielder John-Joe O'Toole was sent off by referee Andy Penn for a tug on Leicester captain Stephen Clemence as he broke through on goal.

Penn initially waved play on but was alerted to a raised flag from his assistant on the far side and after lengthy consultation decided to harshly send the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international off.

The decision incensed the Vicarage Road faithful and ensured a nervy second half.

But Ian Holloway's men never looked like finding the goal they desperately needed and despite playing 50 minutes with an extra player failed to force goalkeeper Richard Lee into a single decent save.

The Foxes have now lost their last three games and remain in genuine danger of being relegated into the depths of League One.

Both sides looked to hit target men Steve Howard and Henderson as early as possible in the first half with the four players isolated in central midfield spending their time running aimlessly either side of the halfway line in search of scraps of possession.

The football on show was absolutely dire but Henderson almost conjured up an opener in the 22nd minute out of nothing.

Winger Jobi McAnuff did well to divert the ball into his path and despite a bad first touch the former Gillingham man managed to send in a low left-footed drive which Foxes goalkeeper Ben Alnwick kicked away to safety.

Henderson then wasted a golden chance after more lively approach work from McAnuff.

The winger carved straight through the middle of Leicester's lacklustre defence before squaring for the unmarked Henderson 12 yards from goal.

A calm finish was required but Henderson instead hammered the ball and Alnwick got a slight touch to divert it over the crossbar.

O'Toole was then shown red in the 40th minute as Clemence looked to latch on to a Howard flick before the Hornets took the lead.

Alnwick came for a deep free-kick but spilled it straight to defender Leigh Bromby.

His volley across goal was heading wide but Henderson slid in to divert the ball home for his 11th of the season.

Gabor Bori whistled a low shot across Lee's goal in the opening seconds of the second half as Holloway's visitors upped the tempo in search of an equaliser.

Adrian Boothroyd left Henderson up front on his own to chase a succession of lost causes as the Foxes had all the possession but they lacked the ability to penetrate the disciplined two banks of four which defended the Hornets goal.

Holloway finally sent on Iain Hume with 25 minutes remaining but the Canadian was unable to conjure up an equaliser with Clemence's wide drive from the edge of the area their best effort.

Teams:

Watford Lee, Mariappa, Shittu, Bromby, Sadler, Eustace,Ainsworth (Bangura 45), O'Toole, McAnuff (Kabba 90), Henderson,Ellington (Stewart 61).

Subs Not Used: Doyley, Williamson.

Sent Off: O'Toole (40).

Goals: Henderson 45.

Leicester Alnwick, James Chambers (Laczko 46), Stearman,McAuley (Hayles 81), Kisnorbo, Clapham, Oakley, Clemence,Campbell, Bori (Hume 67), Howard.

Subs Not Used: Wesolowski, N'Gotty.

Att: 15,944

Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).