Southampton 1 Watford 3

Hotshot Henderson:

Already leading thanks to Gavin Mahon's 3rd minute opener, the Golden Boys extended their advantage midway through the second half when Henderson tapped in a low cross by Marlon King.

The game was as good as over as a contest in the 72nd minute as Henderson rose above a static home defence to plant a looping header beyond Paul Smith and into the far left hand corner of his net.

A disappointing Southampton did manage to grab a consolation through Peter Madsen with five minutes remaining, his second goal in as many games, but nothing could stop Aidy Boothroyd's confident side moving up into third place in the Championship.

Following a profitable weekend for the Golden Boys during which none of their promotion rivals had mustered a victory between them Watford had travelled to the South Coast in buoyant mood and the large travelling support were not to be disappointed.

The game was still in its infancy when Mahon netted to set the tone for what was to be a straightforward three points.

Marlon King's cross from the right-hand side evaded six players in the penalty area before landing at the feet of Mahon on the far post and he wasted no time in sweeping home a right-footed finish for his third goal of the season.

Saints struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the first 45 minutes and, much to the frustration of the home fans, spent most of the time fending off the danger of King and strike partner Henderson.

Henderson nearly added to the Golden Boys' lead on 23 minutes when an Ashley Young free-kick drifted into the Southampton penalty area and the former Gillingham front man narrowly misdirected his header as the ball flew harmlessly wide of Smith's left hand upright.

Two minutes before half-time the big target man caused more problems at the heart of the Saints back four when he brought down a long clearance from keeper Ben Foster and lashed a left-foot volley marginally over with Smith struggling.

Saints boss Burley sacrificed midfielder Richard Chaplow who had taken a heavy knock following a tackle by Jordan Stewart at the break for Trinidad international Kenwyne Jones in a bid to claw the deficit back, but it was the visitors who increased their lead midway through the half.

A free-kick from the left-hand side was headed clear but struck Danny Higginbotham before landing at the feet of King who crossed to an unmarked Henderson who tapped home from two yards.

Henderson soon had a second goal of the game as the inspirational Mahon, this time unmarked at the far post, headed Young's free-kick for Henderson to head home his 12th goal of the season.

Saints' sole response came five minutes from time, as most of the home fans had already started to leave. Poland international Kamil Kosowski crossed from the left-hand side for the suspiciously looking offside Madsen to head his second goal in as many games.

Watford now move up to third place in the Championship table, three points behind Neil Warnock's Blades, and although the fluency of recent weeks may have been missing, winning at the ‘business end of the season' is all that counts now and another triumph, coupled with three goals scored merely illustrates the potency Boothroyd has at his disposal, even if the team are not at their fluent best. It augers well for the run-in!

Golden Boys man of the match: Darius Henderson