Watford's 12-game unbeaten league run came to an abrupt halt as promotion rivals Hull swept to their sixth win in seven games.

Michael Turner opened the scoring after just 47 seconds, and Fraizer Campbell notched his 14th goal of the season after 12 minutes to give the hosts a two-goal cushion at the break.

Watford, who went into the game on the back of seven consecutive draws, offered little in attack, and substitute Caleb Folan struck a third goal with 17 minutes remaining.

Seconds later Watford were reduced to 10 men when Steve Kabba was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Sam Ricketts.

Hull got off to a superb start as Richard Garcia charged forward only to be brought down by Leigh Bromby 25 yards out. Dean Marney swung in an excellent right-footed free-kick and Turner rose to direct a powerful header into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Watford carved out their first real opening when Jobi McAnuff's corner was met by Jay DeMerit, who could only glance a header across the face of goal.

Hull doubled their lead moments later. The visitors failed to clear a Marney cross from the right, and when Henrik Pedersen fired a left-footed volley towards goal, Campbell pounced to divert the ball past Richard Lee from six yards.

The deliveries from Bromby out wide were causing Hull the most problems, and a pinpoint cross forced Pedersen to head clear from underneath his own crossbar.

Hull goalkeeper Bo Myhill was forced to make his first save of the contest by diving to his left to parry a thumping right-footed volley from McAnuff 20 yards out.

With the first attack of the second half, Hull's Andy Dawson fired a left-footed shot two yards wide of the post from a good position 15 yards out.

However, Watford came desperately close when Bromby's long throw found its way to McAnuff, whose close-range shot was deflected over the crossbar by Ricketts.

Seconds later, the visitors spurned an even better chance, as Myhill spread himself to make a tremendous block to keep out an effort from Lee Williamson following a goalmouth scramble.

Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd brought on Adrian Mariappa and Lionel Ainsworth for Al Bangura and Nathan Ellington, and also pushed captain Danny Shittu up front in search of a goal.

However, with more room to operate in up front, Campbell was becoming increasingly influential, and Lee had to be alert to keep out a dipping drive from the on-loan Manchester United striker.

Hull wrapped up the points with 17 minutes remaining. Campbell and Pedersen combined well in midfield, and Folan - a 60th minute replacement for Dean Windass - raced clear to slide a shot under Lee.

Seconds later Watford suffered a further blow when Kabba clattered into Ricketts, and was shown a straight red card by referee Uriah Rennie.

Williamson forced Myhill into another fine save late on, but the game was already out of the visitors' reach.

Teams:

Hull Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Garcia,Ashbee (Hughes 90), Marney, Pedersen, Windass (Folan 59),Campbell (Fagan 87).

Subs Not Used: Duke, Walton.

Booked: Campbell, Brown, Myhill.

Goals: Turner 1, Campbell 13, Folan 73.

Watford Lee, Bromby, Shittu, DeMerit (John 79), Sadler, Smith,Bangura (Mariappa 56), Williamson, McAnuff, Kabba,Ellington (Ainsworth 56).

Subs Not Used: Poom, Stewart.

Sent Off: Kabba (75).

Booked: Sadler.

Att: 23,501

Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).