LEEDS United left Vicarage Road with three points this afternoon as a single goal proved enough to win the game for Simon Grayson's side against Watford.

The goal from Leeds skipper Richard Naylor in the sixth minute of the game knocked the Golden Boys' confidence, although the home side did put United under sustained pressure in the second period, but they unable to even the game.  

Troy Deeney made his first league start for the Club while loanee Jordon Mutch was also included in Malky's starting XI for the first time. Will Buckley dropped down to the bench, while new signing Josh Walker was also named amongst the squad.

The visitors included their new signing Ross McCormack, however he only made the substitutes' bench. Richard Naylor captained the visitors and they also included Bradley Johnson in their starting XI.

The Hornets had the first free kick of the game with less than two minutes gone, Mutch taking the set piece from outside left of the box, but his effort was blocked and despite a curling characteristic cross from Lee Hodson, the chance went begging.

Scott Loach had to make a fingertip save on five minutes when a powerful header from Luciano Becchio turned up the heat on the Watford goal.

The visitors took their chance though when they netted at The Vicarage Road end following Neil Kilkenny's delivery.

Marvin Sordell unexpectedly headed the ball into into the six yard box and Loach was forced to make an excellent save from Beechio, with the ball loose in the area Naylor bundled the ball home from close range.

John Eustace had a perfect chance to level the game for the Hornets on eight minutes, after some promising passing play from Adrian Mariappa and Martin Taylor.

The game was end to end and moments later Deeney crossed the ball from the left towards Sordell, but the young striker's headed effort went wide of the post.

As the clock ticked towards the 20 minute mark, Deeney sped down the right flank, seeing off several Leeds defenders on the way. He chipped to Sordell who continued the surge at Kasper Schmeichel's goal but the 'keeper went the right way and the away side stayed in front.

Deeney had a shot himself on 27 minutes, receiving the ball expertly from Don Cowie in a congested box but his chip was just inches too high and it tipped over the cross bar.

Eustace slipped Stephen McGinn a neat ball as the game trickled over the half hour mark, but the Scottish midfielder struggled to find adequate space in the box to finish the job.

Leeds didn't let up on the pressure on the Hornets, despite their early lead in the game and Hodson did extremely well to fend off the incoming advances of the United strike force.

Eustace had a go at the target with five minutes of normal time left, the skipper heading the ball goalwards, but his effort was parried away.

The first half came to a close with the single goal separating the sides, aside from the crucial srike there had been little between the teams overall.

Mutch was in amongst the action again two minutes after the restart as he struck a long straight ball at Schmeichel's goal. But the shot was wide and Watford still searched for the equalising goal.

Deeney was trying his best, constantly looking for openings in the solid Leeds back four to try and pull one back for the Hornets, but to no avail as chance upon chance went amiss.

Mutch struck another nice ball on target on 56 minutes but yet again, it was the gloves of Schmeichel that denied the Golden Boys their chance.

Two encouraging consecutive corners from Cowie and Mutch moments later raised hopes in the Rookery End but both efforts didn't find any Watford shirts successfully in the crowded box.

Just after the hour mark, Cowie shot down the right flank like a bullet, all the way to the corner of the 18 yard box and let fly at the target. Schmeichel, finding himself completely on his own in the box, faced only with Cowie's powerful shot, jumped in the air and volleyed the ball to safety with his right foot.

Will Buckley, who dropped to the bench for the encounter in WD18 entered the fold on 63 minutes as Malky Mackay tried to bolster his attacking force on the field.

New Leeds signing Ross McCormack came on for Sanchez Watt on 68 minutes to a welcoming cheer from the two thousand strong away fans in the Vicarage Road end.

Taylor had an opportunity with 78 minutes gone, several minutes after Loach had to scramble a save in a busy box to prevent Leeds from going two goals up. The former Birmingham man flicked the ball over Schmeichel's head, trying to use his height to his advantage. But the goalkeeper stretched high to receive the ball.

The Hornets had turned weary after keeping the lively Leeds team at bay since the sixth minute of the clash at Vicarage Road and it seemed Malky's men were beginning to run out of steam.

In the final two minutes of normal time, Mutch did very well to keep possession for the Golden Boys amid the tangled legs of the Leeds defence at the left corner flag.

He proceeded to cross a perfect ball to Eustace on the right of the box, the 'Orns captain came so close to scoring the equaliser, but for the gloves of Schmeichel who made the crucial close range save for the away team.

With four minutes added on to normal time, the Hornets continued to push for the goal they had been searching for all match but their efforts were in vain as the whistle blew on a frustrating first home defeat.

WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley; McGinn (Buckley 63), Eustace (c), Mutch, Cowie; Sordell, Deeney. Subs not used: Walker, Gilmartin (gk), Jenkins, Bryan, Bennett, Henderson.

LEEDS UNITED: Schmeichel; Connolly, Collins, Naylor (c), Kilkenny, Becchio, Sam (Gradel 60), Howson, Johnson, Watt, Bessone (Hughes 45). Subs not used: Bruce, Higgs (gk), Clayton, Somma.

GOALS: WATFORD; none. LEEDS UNITED; Naylor (6).

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Deeney. LEEDS UNITED; Watt, Schmeichel, Howson.

ATTENDANCE: 14, 039 (away 2,199).