Crystal Palace gained three points on the team just above them with a win on the road against Watford

Sean Scannell and Neil Danns added second half goals after a Stern John effort in the opening forty five had given them the advantage.

The home side were wondering how they went at the break behind after hitting the woodwork twice and they became another team who were denied by some excellent goalkeeping by Julian Speroni.

The Hornets thought they were denied a spot kick by referee Paul Taylor early on when a cross from Will Buckley struck a defenders arm but the official waved away the appeals for a spot kick.

The Palace goalkeeper was soon in action on the quarter hour mark when he somehow kept out Martin Taylor's point-blank header, but he could only watch on soon after when Tom Cleverley's 20-yard drive rebounded back into play off the crossbar.

At the other end the 1600 travelling support soon saw what they came for as their side took the lead. On the half-hour mark Johnny Ertl's cross ended up at the far post  where John was on his own and headed the opening goal of the night past Scott Loach.

The first half dominance of Malky Mackay's side soon continued and Palace had a let off as Henri Lansbury's header struck the inside of the post and back into play.

Six minutes before the break it is Speroni again to deny the home side from getting back on level terms as Helguson beats the offside trap and gets his cross in which is picked up by Buckley but from just yards out the chance is blocked by the 'keeper.  

Palace came out in the second half and started much more confident and soon increased their advantage. Darren Ambrose's cross was headed goalwards by Scannell but it came back off the post and straight back to the winger as he made no mistake from close range. 

Watford did not look anything the side that had created problems for Palace in the first half but nearly got back into the game as Heidar Helguson put a shot over the bar and seven minutes later was in the box again but headed wide of the target. 

The visitors soon put the game beyond doubt on 65 minutes when Scannell's shot was only parried by Loach and it fell to Danns who fired home into an empty net to send the Palace camp into celebrations.

In the closing period of the game Watford did their best to get back in the game and got a consolation through Danny Graham after picking up Buckley's pass and he made no mistake firing past Speroni.

Cleverley curled a shot onto the inside of the post as the woodwork denied the home side once again and Speroni came out to save at Helguson's feet.  

Watford had a late appeal for a penalty turned down as Buckley was brought down in the box but the home side couldn't force a second to give Palace a nervous period of added time.

Once again Palace finished the match with ten men as Lee HIlls was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Buckley in the closing minutes of a vital victory for Paul Hart's side.

Teams.

Watford Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit, Taylor (Hoskins 84), Doyley,Lansbury, Cowie (Graham 68), Cleverley, Eustace, Helguson,Buckley.

Subs Not Used: Lee, McGinn, Harley, Noble, Hodson.

Booked: Eustace.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Ertl, McCarthy, Davis, Hills,Derry (Lawrence 20), Ambrose, Danns, Scannell (Carle 80),John (N'Diaye 90), Andrew.

Subs Not Used: Manns, Lee, Comley, Zaha.

Sent Off: Hills (87).

Booked: Hills, Ertl, Lawrence.

Att: 15,134    Referee: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).

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