WATFORD came away from Pride Park disappointed this evening as Derby County grabbed all three points with a goal each side of half time.

The Rams will move above the Golden Boys in the congested Championship table thanks to the strikes from Michael Tonge and Chris Porter.

The Hornets improved after the half time interval and put the home side under periods of pressure, but they were denied by the Rams as the home side stood strong and eventually they punished the 'Orns with a killer second goal as Watford pushed forward.

It was a bitterly cold day in the East Midlands as the Hornets looked to improve their form on the road at the start of the afternoon.

The Golden Boys starting XI was unchanged for the clash with the Rams, with the only squad change being Dale Bennett taking his place on the bench, in place of wide winger Michael Bryan.

Derby made one change to their starting lineup as Rob Hulse came into attack.

Pride Park was in good voice to welcome the two sides as Derby entered the field.

Referee Mr Horwood took a tumble in the middle of the pitch much to the both of both sets of supporters in the early stages.

Eventually, from the same attack the ball found its way out to the right flank and Don Cowie whipped in a cross which was headed goalwards by Heidar Helguson, but the effort never had enough in it to trouble Stephen Bywater.

At the other end Adrian Mariappa was lucky not to go into the referee's notebook for a late challenge on the Watford right flank.

Hulse went down in the penalty area under pressure from Scott Loach on five minutes but with the big striker heading away from goal, the referee waved the hopeful penalty claims away.   

On nine minutes Loach pulled off a top stop to deny the Rams. Stephen Pearson had charged into the area and fed the ball to Paul Green, his direct shot was plucked out of the air by Nottingham-born Loach with a good stop.

Watford found themselves a goal down on 12 minutes as the home crowd sprung to life thanks to a fine strike from former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge. 

Tonge had the ball at his feet and let fly from the best part of 25 yards with a fine strike which had Loach beaten.

Despite the best efforts of the England Under-21 stopper the ball flew past him and into the top of the net as Pride Park came to life.

On 29 minutes Watford received a slice of luck as the referee adjudged the ball hit Henri Lansbury's chest, rather than his arm, which was the message from the home support and player.

Lanbsury immediately got the ball forward and Helguson was played in behind the Derby backline.

He took a touch and was heading towards goal but the Rams recovered quickly and immediately got hold of the ball from the Iceland striker.

The referee was blowing up for a number of decisions as the game struggled to flow for long periods of the first-half.

The Derby crowd were becoming increasingly frustrated with the referee as a number of decisions went against the home side.

Watford were still very much in the game though at 1-0 but they struggled to test Bywater as much as they would like.

On 39 minutes a Danny Graham header sailed over the bar from within the six yard box after a long ball into the penalty area was flicked on by defender Martin Taylor.

A minute before the break, after Don Cowie was sent to the floor, Jon Harley sent a free kick goalwards that was grasped with both hands by Bywater.

Ten minutes into the second half Bywater produced a great save low down to his right as he denied Lanbsury's low distance pile driver.

The Hornets had plenty of players forward after John Eustace had been brought down in midfield, but despite a period of pressure the home defence and Bywater stood strong.

Watford continued to ask questions of the Derby defence as the travelling Hornets behind the goal tried to rally the Golden Boys.

In the 67 minutes Loach had to punch a corner kick from Robbie Savage clear as Derby threw balls into the penalty area to react to Watford's earlier spell of pressure.

Twenty minutes from time the Golden Boys had the perfect chance to drew the scores level.

After a long punt down field from captain Jay DeMerit, Lansbury chased the ball as Derby full back Dean Moxey appeared in control of clearing his lines.

However the defender got things all wrong as he miss kicked the ball allowing Lansbury to take advantage.

With Bywater off his line a dinked shot over the 'keeper appeared the best effort but Lansbury attempted to go round the next defender and eventually had the ball taken off him.

It was a let off for the Rams as the Golden Boys carried off in their pursuit for an equaliser.

Will Hoskins was brought on in place of Helguson and he partnered Graham in attack.

Watford looked to be the team most likely to score as they heaped pressure on the Rams but against the run of play County doubled their lead.

The ball was played forward and after DeMerit was unable to clear his lines Chris Porter took full advantage and he planted a low shot past Loach in the Watford goal.

It was the second goal the striker has scored against the 'Orns this term, after he netted the decisive goal at Vicarage Road back in December.

Watford looked to attack after the second goal as Malky brought on Liam Henderson in place of Lloyd Doyley.

Three minutes from time Graham had a great opportunity to get a goal back after a superb ball into the penalty area from the right flank from Adrian Mariappa.

The ball landed at Graham's feet and he took a touch, but he was unable to lift it over Bywater who had made himself big at the striker's feet.

DERBY COUNTY: Bywater; Moxey, Buxton, Barker, Hunt; Pearson, Savage (c), Green, Tonge (Anderson 81); Hulse (Davies 75), Porter (Martin 89). Subs not used: Leacock, Deeney, (gk), Pringle, Sunu.  

WATFORD: Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit (c), Taylor, Doyley (Henderson 82); Cowie, Eustace, Lansbury, Harley (McGinn 77); Helguson (Hoskins 71|), Graham. Subs not used: Bennett, Lee (gk), Hodson, Jenkins.

GOALS: DERBY COUNTY; Tongue (12), Porter (77). WATFORD; none. 

BOOKINGS: DERBY COUNTY; Moxey (professional foul 27), Hunt (professional foul 46). WATFORD; Eustace (professional foul 80). 

SENDINGS OFF: DERBY COUNTY; none. WATFORD; none.  

REFEREE: Mr G D Horwood.

ATTENDANCE: 29,492 (776 Hornets).