Watford currently lead Nottingham Forest 2-0 at half-time and know another goal would move them back into the automatic promotion places.

Odion Ighalo’s 20th goal of the season gave the Hornets an early lead and Matthew Connolly added another shortly before half-time at the City Ground.

The Golden Boys went into the contest in fourth due to their game in hand. If the score remains the same they will move up to third in the Championship but a victory by three or more goals would see them climb above Norwich City into second place on goals scored.

Watford ended up having an almost ideal start but it could have been so different as Forest went close to scoring in the opening minute.

An attack down the left ended with Michail Antonio mishitting a shot and Chris Burke would have scored from close range at the far post had Heurelho Gomes not saved with his legs.

But it was the Golden Boys who were to take the lead three minutes later. Almen Abdi’s corner was flicked on at the near post and Ighalo headed in at the back stick.

The visitors were playing some lovely football early on but it was Forest who posed the greater threat after the first goal.

Gomes could only fumble Antonio’s thunderous shot, Ben Osborn had a similar effort palmed away and then Gary Gardner also forced Gomes into a stop from long range.

Despite the pressure, Abdi had the best chance to add another when he was put through one-on-one but appeared to toe-punt it wide from 12 yards.

It was an extremely open contest and Adlene Guedioura also fired narrowly over from outside the area soon after with a well-hit shot.

Gomes had been crucial to Watford keeping a clean-sheet at Millwall and it was a similar story tonight as he made another good stop to deny Eric Lichaj’s impressive volley from the corner of the area.

But the Hornets were given the cushion of a second goal shortly before the break. Connolly broke out of defence and travelled 30 yards through the heart of the midfield. He laid the ball off to Ighalo and when his shot was parried, Connolly was there to follow in from close range.

There was still time for Gomes to make another stop; this time holding on to Gardner’s strike.

Nottingham Forest line-up: Darlow; Kane, Hobbs, Wilson, Lichaj; Mancienne, Gardner; Burke, Osborn, Antonio; Akpom.

Subs: Evtimov, Lansbury, Fox, Barrow, Blackstock, Vaughan, Walker.

Watford line-up: Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Connolly; Motta, Guedioura, Watson, Abdi, Anya; Deeney, Ighalo.

Subs: Bond, Hoban, Paredes, Layun, Tozser, Munari, Vydra.

Referee: Paul Tierney.

Follow the second half action here.