WATFORD were rewarded for a battling away performance as they picked up three precious points at Millwall this evening (Tuesday).

The Hornets won their third game on their travels as they put further ground between the two clubs in the npower Championship.

The visitors showed plenty of quality and put in a strong performance to ensure they were rewarded for their efforts on the night itself.

Troy Deeney opened the scoring after 35 minutes as his well-struck low effort evaded the Millwall keeper.

Watford were good value for the lead and were the more impressive side during the course of the 90 minutes.

That lead was doubled during the second half as Joe Garner opened his account for the club after he finished from close range.   

There were two changes for the Hornets in south London as Jonathan Hogg and Alex Kacaniklic were included in Sean Dyche's starting XI.

Kacaniklic was making his debut after his arrival from Fulham on loan, while Hogg returned from injury.

Marvin Sordell was left out of the team at the request of Hornets' owner Laurence Bassini.

Scott Loach was in goal behind a back four of Lee Hodson, Adrian Mariappa, Nyron Nosworthy and Lloyd Doyley.

Sean Murray started on the right with Kacaniklic on the left, while Eustace and Hogg patrolled the middle of the park.

Deeney and Joe Garner were the Golden Boys' front pairing for the evening.

Kenny Jackett's Millwall included ex-Hornet Darius Henderson in their team, the 16-goal forward has been in great form in front of goal this campaign.

Garner was in the thick of the action during the opening exchanges under the lights at The Den.

The striker's header was saved by David Forde with a minute on the clock, then he was on both ends of challenges, much to the irritation of the home crowd, before he hit a low shot wide of the Millwall goal.

It was a promising start to the game from the visitors as the Lions looked nervous in front of their partisan home crowd.

Deeney's shot rose up and over the bar after Murray's chip into the area on 12 minutes and then Hodson's excellent cross from the right was headed wide by that man again. 

Against the run of play Harry Kane's back post header went wide of Loach's post after a deep corner to the far post.

The Hornets were rewarded for their dedicated display when Deeney thumped home a low shot from Kacaniklic's pass 10 minutes before the break.

It was a fine strike by the forward and he celebrated in front of the travelling Watford supporters behind the goal.

The pressure carried on and that man Deeney got on the end of Hodson's cross but he headed up and over the bar.

Millwall's crowd were voicing their disapproval at the hosts as passes continued to go out of play and into the hands of the Hornets.

Jackett's side did manage to bring a save out of Loach before the interval and it was a fine stop too by the former England Under-21 keeper.

Trotter barged his way past defenders and smashed the ball at goal and Loach pulled off a great saved to deny the midfielder.

A chorus of boos rang out as the half-time whistle was blown as the locals made their feelings known to Jackett's team.

Watford carried on with their bright play at the start of the second 45 as Garner blasted over from Deeney's pass.

Hogg made a tremendous block from Kane on 55 minutes as the Hornets started to defend the anticipated pressure from the Lions.

Jackett made a double switch two minutes later as Kane and Mason were withdrawn and Chris Hackett and John Marquis brought on to replace them.

The switch didn't have any immediate impact though as the Hornets doubled their lead.

Doyley went charging into the area and squared the ball to Kacaniklic, his initial shot was then well saved by Forde.

Garner picked up the pieces and hit the loose ball in past the despairing goalkeeper and he raced away to celebrate with his team-mates.

Henderson had his first real sniff at goal on 68 minutes as the powerful striker connected with Scott Barron's pinpoint delivery from the left flank, however he couldn't keep his header down.

Chris Iwelumo was introduced for lively debutant Kacaniklic on 75 minutes, he partnered Garner in attack with Deeney moving to left midfield. 

Loach did well to save from Marquis' header nine minutes from time and then Jack Smith's long-range pile-driver flashed wide of the Watford post.

Henderson missed a penalty kick for the hosts right on the stroke of half-time after Loach brought down Marquis inside the penalty area.

It was a fabulous performance by Dyche's side and they were fully deserving of their three points.  

LIONS: Forde; Smith, Ward, Craig, Barren; Feeney, Abdou, Trotter (c), Mason (Hackett 57); Henderson, Kane (Marquis 57). Subs not used: Allsop (GK), Lowry, Wright. 

HORNETS: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Nosworthy, Doyley; Murray, Hogg, Eustace (c), Kacaniklic (Iwelumo 75); Deeney, Garner (Buaben 89). Subs not used: Bond (GK), Dickinson, Yeates.

GOALS: LIONS; none. HORNETS; Deeney (35), Garner (59). 

BOOKINGS: LIONS; Barron (64). HORNETS; Hodson (64), Deeney (84).

REFEREE: Mr Keith Stroud

ATTENDANCE:  9,294 (640 Hornets).