WATFORD came away from Home Park with three points after a frantic start to the game saw them secure the one and only goal of the night.

Loanee Tom Cleverly grabbed the goal and it proved priceless as despite a hugely improved performance from Plymouth Argyle during the second half, Paul Sturrock's men couldn't find a way past the super Scott Loach.

The 'keeper was outstanding and pulled off a number of fine saves to make sure that Argyle couldn't find a way back into the game.

Loach pulls off several vital saves during the evening for the Hornets

Following Saturday's home win over Barnsley the Hornets travelled down to Home Park looking to build on their form.

Boss Malky Mackay had added two new players to his squad in the shape of Craig Cathcart and Heidar Helguson, however neither was available for tonight's game.

The hosts were still searching for their first league win of the season and had only picked up a point at home before kick off.

Mackay was again missing captain Jay DeMerit, so Academy graduate Dale Bennett continued in defence, alongside captain for-the-evening Adrian Mariappa.

Summer signing Jure Travner was named amongst the substitutes, alongside attacking players Marvin Sordell, Nathan Ellington and Will Hoskins.

Sturrock included former Blackpool loanee Alan Gow, while centre half Carl Fletcher captained the team.

Watford clearly took confidence from their weekend win and came flying out of the blocks in Devon.

They were in front within the first five minutes and it was the least they deserved after a positive start saw them force a number of corners.

Loanee Tom Cleverley fires the ball home for the Hornets

Don Cowie took the corner kick and his pinpoint delivery found Cleverley and he directed his effort past the stranded Romain Larrieu in the Argyle goal.

The small band of Watford supporters celebrated behind the goal and Cleverley and his team mates did the same in front of them.

Cleverley celebrates his fourth minute goal

The Golden Boys kept on going after the goal and the corners kept on coming.

Young Lee Hodson was linking up with Cowie down the right and John Eustace was orchestrating proceedings from the centre of the park.

The home side appeared nervy and were making mistakes, much to the displeasure of the home crowd.

Plymouth captain Fletcher slipped on the turf and the Hornets looked to take advantage but the skipper managed to regain his composure and play the ball out from the back.

The Golden Boys were in control and inside the first 15 minutes the home side didn't have a look in.

However, slowly but surely the Pilgrims came into the game.

The majority of the opportunities for the home side came from set pieces and corners into the penalty box.

Cleverley celebrates with teammates Lloyd Doyley, Ross Jenkins and Henri Lansbury

Watford 'keeper Loach certainly kept his side in the game with two fine saves from headers.

Jamie Mackie had the chances on both occasions within the penalty area, but Loach was equal to them and pulled off two terrific headers.

Crosses coming into the box were causing problems for the Hornets, but despite this the home side couldn't convert any of their chances.

Watford soaked up some of the pressure from the Pilgrims and were quick to break through Cowie, Cleverley and Henri Lansbury.

After a lull in the game, the visitors came back within the last 10 minutes of the first half.

Referee Mr Scott wasn't enduring himself to the home crowd as he had three home names in his book within the first half.

Cowie produced a terrific cross field pass which picked out Cleverley. His cross in the box picked out Graham but his header couldn't beat Larrieu low down.

The Arsenal loanee hit the post with two minutes of normal time remaining of the first half as his snatch shot hit the woodwork and trickled away from goal.

John Eustace takes on Plymouth's Krisztian Timar

Loach was called into action four minutes after the re-start as he saved from Cillian Sheridan's shot inside the penalty area. The England U21 'keeper managed to get his fingertips to it and divert the ball over the bar.

The Pilgrims started to carve out further opportunities as from a corner kick Kari Arnason's header went the wrong side of Loach's box, the centre half managing to get above everyone else in the crowded penalty area.

Gary Sawyer was the next player to see his header tipped over the bar by Loach, as the former Lincoln stopper continued to deny Sturrock's men.

Plymouth had started the second half similarly to how Watford opened up the first period, by winning a number of corner kicks to put the opposition under pressure.

Sturrock had changed their formation around in the second half and swapped his team to a 4-3-3 formation - and the change appeared to be paying off with the Hornets on the back foot.

Just after the hour mark the home team had indeed beat the seemingly invincible Loach, but they couldn't direct their header past the right side of the post.

A flying header at the far post by Karl Dugiud looked to be heading in but it hit the woodwork and came bouncing back out much to the relief of Mackay and his bench.

Argyle made a treble substitution with just under 20 minutes remaining. It almost paid off immediately but Lloyd Doyley was on hand at the far post to head clear under pressure from sub Alan Judge.

Nathan Ellington battles against the Green Army

Against the run of play with 10 minutes left the Hornets had a rare chance when Ellington was slipped through on goal. But Larrieu was equal to it and the chanced passed.

The Golden Boys were largely defending for the remainder of the game but once again the 'Orns had Loach to thanks, as the stopper pulled off further saves to keep his team in the game.

The late pressure continued for the Pilgrims and despite four minutes of added time the home side could not find a way past Watford's excellent goalkeeper.

PLYMOUTH ARYGLE: Larrieu; McNamee, Timar, Arnason, Sawyer; Gow (Wright-Phillips 73), Duguid, Fletcher (c), Clark (Judge 73); Sheridan (Fallon 73), Mackie. Subs: Paterson, Summerfield, Letheren (gk), Folly.

WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Bennett, Mariappa (c), Doyley; Cleverley (Harley 86), Jenkins (Hoskins 90+1), Eustace, Cowie; Lansbury (Ellington 68); Graham. Subs: Travner, Lee (gk), Bryan, Sordell.

BOOKINGS: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE; Timar (professional foul 27), Arnason (ungentlemanly conduct 37), McNamee (professional foul 43). WATFORD; none.

SENDINGS OFF: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE; none. WATFORD; none.

SCORERS: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE; none. WATFORD; Cleverley (4).

REFEREE: Mr G Scott.

ATTENDANCE: 8, 703 (355 Watford supporters)