Watford's revival continued as Lee Cook's fourth goal of the season sentenced Walsall to defeat at Bescot.
The Hornets have now won two and drawn one of their last three games to boost their survival bid, with their victory at Walsall their first away from home since beating Norwich City in November.
But the struggling Saddlers have hit a dismal run of form, as Cook's 15th minute strike sentenced them to their fourth defeat in their last six league games.
They are in free fall down the table, without a win this year and with just two points from the last 18 - a run that has set the relegation alarm bells ringing for Colin Lee's side.
They were frustrated against Watford by an impressive display by on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper, Lenny Pidgeley.
Walsall were given a sign of what was to come after nine minutes when goalkeeper James Walker had to push a header from Gavin Mahon on to the bar and then collect the follow-up from Paul Devlin.
But they failed to heed the warning and slipped behind just six minutes later after a disastrous mistake by Vinny Samways.
He attempted to dribble the ball out of his own area but was dispossessed by Cook, who took full advantage to rifle in a low drive that took a slight deflection past the stranded Walker.
The home side struggled to bounce back from the blow of falling behind and it was not until the closing stages of the half that they finally started to make an impact.
But they were denied by the heroics of Pidgeley who pulled off a stunning double save to deny striker Jorge Leitao after he had collected a knock down from Gary Wales.
Walsall continued to press in the second period but found that Pidgeley was in inspired form.
After substitute Kris Taylor had fired narrowly wide in the 63rd minute Pidgeley threw himself across the face of goal five minutes later to beat away a drive from Gary Birch.
He then denied Leitao for a third time with another smart one-handed save after 71 minutes.