Slavisa Jokanovic described Watford’s 3-1 victory at Nottingham Forest as an “important step” for his side but admitted the Hornets struggled to control the game after the Reds were reduced to ten men.

Odion Ighalo and Matthew Connolly put the Golden Boys two goals ahead at the interval and in the second period Forest were reduced to ten men when Kelvin Wilson was dismissed for kicking out at Ighalo.

But the home side pulled a goal back through Gary Gardener and came close to equalising on several occasions.

However, Almen Abdi’s 87th minute strike sealed victory for Watford and guaranteed their place in the Championship play-offs.

Speaking after the game, Jokanovic said: “I believe we deserved the three points and it was an important step for us. We scored an early goal and after that moment we played a good game with confidence.

“We scored again and it was the start that helped us win the game.”

He continued: “We had 20 minutes where we didn’t find what we wanted to do in the game. They scored a goal and we had a little bit of trouble in the game.

“Fortunately in the end we started to keep the ball and we found a way to score the third goal.”

Prior to kick-off Watford knew a three-goal winning margin would be enough to send them back into the automatic promotion places.

They had opportunities to add to their lead throughout the contest but a combination of good stops from Karl Darlow and wasteful finishing meant the Hornets remain third.

Jokanovic was asked if he was frustrated his side didn’t boost their goal difference, especially after Forest had been reduced to ten men.

He replied: “If you believe it is easy to arrive at this stadium and win easily that is not true. Many top teams have lost in this stadium.

“It isn’t always easy to play against ten men. We played against Derby (County) two weeks ago and drew with ten players. We won at Reading with ten players.

“It is very difficult to control the game for 90 minutes in this stadium. They started to believe they could draw but that is part of football.”

He continued: “I remember Forest many years ago when I was a kid. Their players play for an important club and they must defend the shirt.

“It wasn't an easy day for us and it wasn’t easy for them. I am happy with three points and big teams have lost on this field.

“It is a historic field and it is my pleasure to work at this stadium. If it is not a pleasure for Nottingham Forest to play here that is a problem for them.

“We believed after the second goal goal we could score more and put ourselves in a better position in the table.

“But as I said, it is not easy to play against ten players and it is not easy to control a game for 90 minutes.

“I must be happy because we still have a good chance of completing an important target.”

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman admitted after the match the decision to dismiss Wilson was correct but Jokanovic said he didn’t see that incident or Ighalo’s small kick-out at Eric Lichaj.

“I would be surprised in this moment if something strange happened,” he said. “I can’t give anymore comment because I was looking at the other side.”