MALKY Mackay masterminded Swansea's downfall on Tuesday night to notch his first ever win as manager and condemn the Welsh passing wizards to only their first home defeat in seven months at the Liberty Stadium.

Mackay's side played with a confidence and aptitude that had clearly been lacking in recent weeks, and a return to clean sheets at the back will be a welcome relief to all concerned when it comes to following Watford's fortunes.

A winner from Lee Williamson - his second goal in three days - prompted some bowling celebrations from the players; this after Mackay had taken his men to the local bowling alley as part of their four day trip to Swansea.

And the boss was quick to praise his troops, who found some inner belief at just the right time.

"The players' professionalism tonight showed they really care about the Club and they really want this Club to do well," said the current Watford caretaker.

"There's a lot of pressure on the Club at the moment to come out and win and to not only get through to the next round of the Cup, but for us as a staff and a group of players, to actually get back to winning ways.

"I was delighted with the attitude and the application of those players out there tonight.

"When they put on the Watford strip and they cross the line and give 90 minutes for this Club they have to say they've given it all the effort they've got. I want effort and energy from every one of them."

Mackay made five changes to the side that was, just over 48-hours earlier, defeated by Swansea in the league encounter, but explained his decision to do so was based on winning and winning alone.

"I'll be honest, the team I played tonight were the team I felt had to go and win the game, it wasn't a case of changing personnel for the sake of it.

"The last day or so myself, Martin Hunter, Sean Dyche and Alec Chamberlain have had a chat, looked at the players, and that's the team that we thought would go out and win the game.

"I want people to go out there and show what they can do on the pitch and if they play well then they've got a case for staying in the team. It's all I can ask, but it's what I expect."

In midfield the Hornets looked as combative and competitive as ever, with Lee Williamson pulling the strings alongside 17-year-old rookie Ross Jenkins - a combination Mackay has plenty of praise for.

"Lee Williamson is a creative player and it's good to see him going and expressing himself on the edge of the opposition box, staying central.

"We had a chat about his role in the team and how he has to lead from example, because there are times he has matched the top two or three central midfielders in our division and there are others times where his own consistency and disciplines let him down.

"He knows that and he's been working very, very hard this season to impress every week and show consistency.

"Ross' maturity shows. I just felt it was right tonight to just put him in there and get him involved. He goes and sits in there next to Lee, who talks him through a lot of stuff, and he keeps it nice and tight."

Speaking of keeping it tight, former centre-back Mackay will have been more pleased than not to have finally seen a clean sheet come in Watford's direction.

"We've been leaking too many goals as a team and it was good to get a solid foundation there tonight," said the former Celtic man.

"The defence was rock-solid and going forward we showed a little bit of cleverness.

"We have to have a structure and in our half of the pitch I need solidity across the whole team. In the opposition half of the pitch I would like the team to go and express themselves.

"I think we defended very well as a team tonight, and in the opposition half there was some lovely moves and we created some lovely pieces of play.

"I'll look at the goal again tonight, but as far as I was aware it was a very good goal that we scored.

"I said to the players that if you can show that on a consistent basis then we have a chance of moving up the league."

But for now it's a chance to look forward to a further Carling Cup tie as the Hornets enter the last eight of the Football League's showpiece trophy, and we'll leave the victorious Mackay with the last words.

"The quarter-final of the Cup is a big thing in any Club's history and we wanted that tonight."