Saturday 10 April: BBC Sport Online
Watford 1-0 Plymouth
HEIDAR Helguson's second-half strike boosted Watford's survival hopes to keep Plymouth mired five points from safety in the Championship drop zone.
Helguson, who had earlier missed two presentable chances, tapped in from close range after John Eustace headed down Don Cowie's right-wing cross.
It was due reward for Watford, for whom Danny Graham had earlier beaten keeper David Stockdale only to strike a post.
Yannick Bolasie should have done better for Plymouth with an early header.
It was a massive result for Watford, moving them three points clear of the relegation zone and seven points ahead of second-from-bottom Plymouth.
On an afternoon when a testing pitch meant fluency was at a premium, it was also a deserved win for the Hornets, for whom Helguson's goal was his 10th since joining on loan from QPR.
Plymouth have only three games left to save themselves, and will not relish the prospect of playing promoted Newcastle in their next game.
Watford manager Malky Mackay:
"I can't remember Scott Loach having a save to make and on the balance of chances I think we deserved the win.
"I think it's a result that's been coming because performances have been decent without reward.
"It's hugely important for us, but I think we've got to keep pressing.
"I think there's teams that will be sucked back into it, so it's all to play for, for us.
Plymouth manager Paul Mariner:
"It's probably the worst performance since the Queens Park Rangers game away from home.
"I'm not critical of anybody in particular, I'm just critical of the group.
"All of us have got to rise to the challenge.
"Until it's impossible for us to stay up, we'll be fighting."
Monday 12 April: Mirror Online
Watford 1 Plymouth 0
HEIDAR Helguson lifts Hornets hope as strike puts Argyle all but down
Heidar Helguson's tap-in settled this scrappy relegation battle, dragging Watford towards safety and shunting shot-shy Plymouth to the brink of the drop.
Fans' favourite Helguson missed a sitter after 49 minutes but made amends from a yard out a minute later.
Argyle could have few complaints because they posed little threat and Paul Mariner's side are now five points from safety, with just three games to play.
In contrast, Malky Mackay's Watford, who kicked off with only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three, have a three-point cushion and a game in hand.
It was their first win in seven games, despite a shocking injury list. Referee Colin Webster injured himself in the warm-up, meaning whistle-happy assistant Warren Atkin replaced him in the middle.
Plymouth spurned a couple of early half-chances and Yala Bolasie sent a free header over midway through the first half.
But Watford posed a far greater threat, with Danny Graham almost bundling through on goal.
The striker smacked another shot into the turf which then bounced over keeper David Stockdale and clipped a post.
Don Cowie should have scored when he met Helguson's cross four minutes from the break but he scuffed his shot wide after being distracted by a Richard Eckersley challenge. Neither team seemed able to settle on the bobbly Vicarage Road pitch, with a stream of passes going astray.
Mackay must have put something strong in the half-time tea, as his relegation scrappers came out with renewed zest after the interval.
Stockdale pulled off a diving stop from John Eustace's header and Helguson nervously scooped a five-yard sitter over the bar after a free-kick dropped at his feet. But the Icelandic forward was quick to make up for that mistake.
Cowie broke forward before crossing for Eustace to head goalwards and Helguson poked the ball home after the stumbling Eckersley had only half-cleared.
Ross Jenkins saw another Watford effort blocked but play was scrappy for the remainder of the game and would have been more suited to League One - where Plymouth seem to be heading.
Monday 12 April: The Sun Online
Watford 1 Plymouth 0
JAY DeMerit helped Watford edge closer to safety, then insisted: "It's concentration time."
The Hornets were buzzing after winning this relegation six-pointer thanks to Heidar Helguson's 50th-minute tap-in.
But skipper DeMerit brought them down to earth.
He said: "We are not safe yet - absolutely not. There are too many teams down there and too many points to play for.
"This is a step in the right direction. But all it takes is one defeat and we could be right back to where we were.
"So it's concentration time now. Everyone needs to concentrate on their jobs, everyone needs to concentrate on being together and everyone needs to come together for the last four games."
Watford always looked the livelier side and were rewarded when Richard Eckersley failed to clear a John Eustace header, leaving Helguson with a simple chance.
At the other end, DeMerit and centre-back partner Dale Bennett, 20, never gave an inch as Watford climbed to 19th, four points clear of the drop zone.
The visitors remain second bottom. Argyle striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, who went down with Southampton last season, admitted: "I'm not sure I can take two relegations.
"If you love football it is one of the worst things that can happen to you. I can't think of anything more hurtful.
"This was a bad result. We just didn't come out of the blocks. But we are not down yet."
Paul Mariner's Plymouth entertain promoted Newcastle next Monday but with just three games left are five points adrift.
SUN STAR MAN - DALE BENNETT (Watford). Looks a real prospect.
