The margin of victory for Graham Taylor's men should have been greater. They regretted some early misses and some fine saves from former Watford 'keeper Kevin Miller, when Palace pulled a goal back four minutes from the end of normal time.

So Watford finished with an anxious seven minutes before reclaiming a place in the play-off runners and riders which they had earlier surrendered after an eight-game run with only one victory.

Craig Foster

Avoids a flying boot

Watford, seeking their fifth successive win, went ahead with a slightly lucky goal. Micah Hyde sent a low cross from the left which Miller appeared to have covered. Guy Whittingham threatened and Palace defender Sun Jihai gained the subtlest of deflections to knock the ball into the net.

Watford were good value for their interval lead. Miller atoned with a more assertive performance for the remainder of the half. He tipped over from Tommy Mooney and made a fine save when the striker met a Nick Wright cross with a shot from ten yards.

When Miller spilled a shot from Wright his defence was there to clear up.

Miller's best first-half save came after 32 minutes when he tipped over a fierce drive from Peter Kennedy.

Palace could have been back on terms early in the second half. Clinton Morrison had two clear chances in the Watford six-yard box but determined defending enabled the home side to block them both.

After 52 minutes Watford increased their lead. Kennedy fired across a free-kick and Mooney knocked the ball beyond Miller.

Graham Taylor's men, still in seventh place, would have scored several goals had it not been for poor finishing and some fine saves by former Watford keeper Kevin Miller.

In the end Watford were left hanging on and almost regretting their early opportunities after Palace pulled a goal back four minutes from normal time.

Watford got off to a flying start, taking the lead after six minutes.

Micah Hyde's a low cross from the left fooled Miller who was expecting Guy Whittingham to meet it.

Fan Zhiyi

Puts Watford under pressure

So was Palace defender Sun Jihai who got the faintest of deflections to send the ball into the net.

Miller atoned with several fine saves, tipping over from Tommy Mooney's header and making a fine stop to deny Nick Wright.

The visiting keeper could only block another drive from Wright but his defence swept up the loose ball.

Miller reserved his best save until shortly before half-time when he tipped over a fierce drive from Peter Kennedy.

Determined defending early in the second half saw Watford make two clearances on the line as Clinton Morrison was presented with chances inside the six-yard box.

Watford promptly broke away and scored.

Substitute Michel Ngonge then squandered a great chance and Miller made another good save, this time to deny a goal-bound Mooney header.

Mooney and Hyde went close again but in the 87th minute Palace pulled a goal back.