Watford increased the pressure on beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday boss Terry Yorath by clinching a deserved 1-0 victory, in a game that they should have won far more comfortably.
The speculation about Yorath's future at Hillsborough is certain to rise after this defeat, inflicted by a Hornets side who got back on track following last week's reversal at Gillingham.
The only goal of the game came three minutes before the interval, courtesy of in-form striker Heidar Helguson, who netted his fourth of the season after a lovely flowing move.
But the Icelandic international could easily have a hat-trick to his name as the home side found Owls keeper Kevin Pressman in impressive form.
Apart from the number of misses, the only other disappointment for Watford was the loss of on-loan Manchester United striker Dandy Webber, who had to be taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated left shoulder.
Despite having plenty of possession, struggling Wednesday created very few chances, and Hornets keeper Alec Chamberlain had a relatively quiet afternoon.
Paul Robinson, Lloyd Doyley and Helguson could all have given the Hornets the lead before they did manage to make the breakthrough.
Micah Hyde's astute pass picked out Stephen Glass in the centre of midfield, and he spread the play out to the left where the unmarked Robinson delivered a first-time cross to the back post, where Helguson rose to head home.
After the break the Icelandic forward should have added to his tally, particularly after 55 minutes when he was put through clear on goal by Neal Ardley's long pass, but Pressman read his intentions and blocked with his legs