Watford's surge up the Coca-Cola Championship table continued as Don Cowie's first goal for the club and a Jose Fonte own goal gave Brendan Rodgers' side their third successive win and condemned a poor Crystal Palace side to defeat.

Cowie - signed in January from Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle - took advantage of a faulty offside trap to score a simple goal that left Palace boss Neil Warnock fuming at the officials in trademark style before making the second after the break.

This was Palace's fourth trip to Vicarage Road in 13 months but they looked far from at home during a display devoid of inspiration.

Palace have won just once since being beat by Watford in the FA Cup at the end of January to blow a play-off challenge while in contrast only Chelsea's French striker Nicolas Anelka managed to score against the Hornets in February.

The hosts carved out the first good chance of the game.

Former Eagle Jobi McAnuff - jeered at every touch by the sizeable away following - slipped a tackle to play in Grzegorz Rasiak on the right of the area and his cutback found Cowie on the penalty spot but the midfielder's effort was well blocked by Matt Lawrence.

Alan Lee almost got in at the other end only to be denied by a marvellous saving challenge from Adrian Mariappa as both sides pushed for the opener.

And it was Rodgers' side who took the lead in the 22nd minute with a simple goal.

Rasiak helped the ball on over his shoulder and Cowie was left with the Palace half to himself as a static defence looked hopefully for an offside flag that never came.

The midfielder kept his cool to race in and slot the ball between Julian Speroni's legs from the edge of the area. An incensed Warnock was lectured by referee Grant Hegley on the touchline as his players appealed for offside but the goal was allowed to stand.

Watford captain Jay DeMerit was forced off early in the second period through injury and while Rodgers waited to reshuffle his back line Palace midfielder Neil Danns twice went close with half chances.

Rodgers eventually got Jon Harley into the action and Cowie then should have made the game safe with a great chance in the 70th minute.

Again Rasiak showed good awareness by playing in Tommy Smith down the left and his first-time pass picked out Cowie who could only hit Speroni with his shot.

However the industrious Highlander made amends two minutes later by creating the second.

Cowie chased a lost cause in the right-hand corner and after robbing Clint Hill set into the area.

His low cross was met by McAnuff and while Speroni made a sharp stop to deny him from point-blank range Fonte could only bundle the loose ball back into the net under pressure.

Rasiak went close to adding a third after some dire defending but Watford comfortably closed out a win to take them nearer to safety.

Teams:

Watford Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit (Harley 57), Mike Williamson,Doyley, Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Jenkins, Rasiak (Hoskins 88),Smith.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Lee Williamson.

Goals: Cowie 22, Jose Fonte 72 og.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, Jose Fonte, Hill,Danns, Butterfield, Ifill (Rui Fonte 84), Oster (Hills 84),Scowcroft (Scannell 73), Lee.

Subs Not Used: Ertl, Comley.

Booked: Butterfield, Lee.

Att: 15,529

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).