THE Hornets lost out to Newcastle United at Vicarage Road in wet conditions this afternoon, as the Geordies continued with their aim of returning to the Premiership at the first time of asking.

Goals in each half cemented yet further United's position at the top of the table.   

Both goals were netted early on in each half as the Geordies started strongly.

There was a late scare for the visitors as sub Will Hoskins smashed a close range shot past Harper to half their lead.

Despite a flurry of balls into the area the Golden Boys were unable to get the all-important equaliser.

It was a difficult afternoon for free-flowing football in WD18 as the rain-sodden conditions made life tricky for everyone out on the pitch.

Watford did their best to topple Newcastle's lead but the league leaders used their experience to stay in front.

Following plenty of pre-match rain the pitch was a slippery state by the time the two sides made their way out onto the pitch at five to three.

There was just one change for the Golden Boys as Tom Cleverley missed the game as he was serving the first of his three-match suspension.

The Manchester United loanee was replaced by Jon Harley in the side with the former Chelsea man starting on the left side of midfield and Don Cowie occupying the right flank.

Despite a host of injuries the visitors still fielded a strong starting XI as they looked to cement their lead at the top of the Championship.

Former Hornet Mike Williamson started in the centre of defence, while the likes of Wayne Routledge, Peter Lovenkrands, Nicky Butt and Joey Barton all missed out through injury.

During the early exchanges both sides tested each other out and Harley lashed a shot that Newcastle 'keeper Steve Harper did well to grab hold of.

The visitors made their chance count though as defender Fabricio Coloccini nodded the ball past Scott Loach in front of The Rookery Stand.

The ball had been put in from the left flank from Jonas Gutierrez and after being nodded back across goal, the defender was there to put the ball over the line.

It had been a physical start to the encounter and with the difficult playing conditions on the Vicarage Road surface, both sides looked to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.

Geordie lad Danny Graham smashed a low shot at goal that Harper did well to save as the 'Orns tried to find a way back into the game.

On 20 minutes striker Andy Carroll flicked the ball just wide of Loach's post after another ball in from the left hand side.

A minute later boss Malky and his bench were on their feet as Heidar Helguson went tumbling in the crowded Newcastle penalty area, but referee Tony Bates waved play on.

The travelling supporters, along with the home faithful, made for a great atmosphere inside Vicarage Road with both teams receiving plenty of backing.

The battle continued throughout the first half and plenty of players found themselves in Tony Bates' notebook by the interval.

Leon Best, former Golden Boy Williamson and Kevin Nolan all were given yellow cards for professional fouls as tackles went flying around the park.

The Hornets did their best to claw their way back into the game but there was little to trouble Harper before the break, as the game was congested in the middle of the field.

Cowie's well placed corner shortly after the start of the second half nearly saw Martin Taylor connect with the ball at the far post, but a covering Toon defender cleared his lines.

Henri Lansbury had been the subject of a couple of heavy first-half challenges and four minutes into the half the midfield was clattered by Alan Smith - which resulted in another card for the visitors.

The Geordies doubled their lead on 51 minutes with a well-worked corner kick.

Midfielder Danny Guthrie placed a great ball in to the near post and England Under-21 striker Carroll got his head to the ball and smashed it past Loach in front of the travelling Newcastle supporters.

Graham got free down the right flank on 63 minutes and put a ball in the middle that Eustace did his best to get to, but the Toon weren't taking any chances and cleared their lines for a corner kick.

Harley took the corner and Taylor had to come off his line and punch the ball but it could only go out for another corner.

Watford were unable to break the visitors down though despite a period of pressure.

The heavens opened during the second half which made the conditions even harder as the surface got muddier and muddier.

It was virtually impossible to play any passing football on the surface as the clock ticked down.

Stephen McGinn made his debut for the 'Orns late on as he took the place of fellow Scotsman Cowie.

Sub Hoskins made the league leaders nervy in the final few minutes as he got a goal back but it wasn't enough as the visitors held on for three points. 

WATFORD: Loach; Mariappa, Taylor, DeMerit (c), Doyley; Cowie (McGinn 83), Eustace, Lansbury, Harley (Hoskins 77), Graham, Helguson. Subs not used: Jenkins, Lee (gk), Henderson, Bryan, Hodson.

NEWCASTLE UNITED; Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Van Aanholt; Guthrie (Pancrate 89), Smith (c), Nolan, Gutierrez (Taylor 88); Best (Ranger 74), Carroll. Subs not used: Hall, Krul (gk), Kadar, Donaldson.

GOALS: WATFORD; Hoskins (90+1). NEWCASTLE UNITED; Coloccini (4), Carroll (51)

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Helguson (unsporting behaviour 17), Harley (professional foul 43). NEWCASTLE UNITED; Best (professional foul 23), Williamson (professional foul 25), Nolan (professional foul 44), Smith (professional foul 49), Van Aanholt (professional foul 90+1) .

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. NEWCASTLE UNITED; none. 

ATTENDANCE: 17,120 (2,250 away).