WATFORD claimed their first Championship win of the new season with an exhilarating 4-2 win over Nottingham Forest at The City Ground.

The home side had greater periods of possession for many parts of the evening but the 'Orns were deadly in front of goal during the second half - scoring three of their four goals.

Danny Graham's first half strike was cancelled out by Dexter Blackstock's goal in time added on at the end of the first period.

But Watford boss Malky Mackay will be delighted with how his team reacted after the break as the Hornets were clinical when presented with chances in front of goal.

The excellent Mike Williamson put the 'Orns in front, while Smith and then debutant Tom Cleverley wrapped up the points late on.

Sub Dele Adebola couldn't spoil Watford's party in Nottingham as the Golden Boys chalked up three valuable Championship points. 

The Golden Boys travelled to the Midlands hoping to bounce back after Saturday's defeat to Sheffield United.

There was just one change for Malky Mackay's men as Nathan Ellington missed out through injury.

He was replaced by new loan signing Cleverley who slotted into the left side of midfield, while Smith moved into attack.

Watford's Assistant Manager Sean Dyche returned to the ground where he started his career, while First Team Coach David Kerslake was visiting his former club, after he left the east Midlands outfit last December.    

Billy Davies named a strong team for Forest and included plenty of attacking options with Nathan Tyson, Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw.

Newly named vice-captain Lee Camp was in goal for the home side after signing for the club during the summer.

Forest enjoyed the better of the opening play as Watford centre backs Jay DeMerit and Williamson had to be on their toes against their three-man attack.

The best early play for the Hornets came down the right flank as Adrian Mariappa and Jobi McAnuff linked up well.

As the clock hit 10 minutes, the game burst into action.

Nottingham-born Scott Loach was called into action as Paul Anderson was given too much space in the penalty area and the England U21 international pulled off a fine save.

Then a minute later with 13 minutes on the clock, Smith spotted a scoring opportunity as he curled a shot at Camp from the best part of 20 yards.

The former QPR 'keeper got down low and spilled the shot and the ball tricked out for a corner kick in front of the travelling Watford supporters.

From the resulting corner kick, Camp did well under pressure from Williamson to grab hold of the ball at the second attempt.

The tempo was now high as the game raced from end-to-end. This time Forest launched an attack and from Tyson's left sided cross - Blackstock blasted over the bar.

With 15 minutes gone, the Hornets should have really been in front.

McAnuff, wide on the right, placed a perfect ball in the six yard box for Jenkins but the newly capped U20 international managed to position his header the wrong side of the crossbar.

Williamson was on hand to clear his lines as Forest launched attack after attack at the 'Orns on 23 minutes.

Forest's Lewis McGugan had gone down in the penalty area after a clash with Loach and after receiving treatment the midfielder was stretchered from the pitch on 26 minutes and was replaced by Radoslaw Majewski.

Despite the home side putting the pressure on captain DeMerit and co at the back - the Golden Boys took the lead just after the half hour mark.

Scott Severin placed the ball into space and Smith tried to wriggle away from his man on the right side of the penalty box.

It looked as if he had shown too much of it as now two defenders surrounded him, but he composed himself and dinked a ball to the back post where Graham was lurking.

The former Carlisle striker rose above his marker and planted a header into the net at the back post.

Danny Graham scores the first of the night

Watford supporters had their hearts in their mouths as the first half came to an end.

Commanding defender Williamson looked to handle the ball under pressure at the back and despite the cries from the loud home crowd, referee Mr Bates waved away the vocal protests.

With Forest's bench unhappy with the decision and the home crowd and players not pleased, the fourth official showed that three minutes added time would be played.

Danny Graham celebrates with Tom Cleverley

Watford would have been hoping to get back into the dressing room one goal to the good but they caved in to the onslaught of pressure in stoppage time.

The ball was slung into the penalty area from Forest's right and former Southampton striker Blackstock managed to direct the ball past Loach for the equaliser.

It didn't end there for the 'Orns as the home team continued to attack - with Earnshaw sending a shot into the side netting and scorer Blackstock directing a header wide of Loach's post.

However, the score stayed level at 1-1 as Mackay and his staff took their side back into the away dressing room at The City Ground.  

The game restarted after the break and two minutes in, Severin again showed a glimpse of what he can do at distance from goal as his superbly hit sailed just up and over the bar.

Three minutes into the half, Smith slipped a delightful ball into the path of Cleverley, who had just entered the penalty box.

Camp couldn't quite get to the ball and after the United loanee went past him, his effort at goal went over the bar from a difficult angle in the crowded penalty box.

McAnuff went off injured for the Hornets after a lengthy period on the floor - Jon Harley came on for the former Eagle on the hour mark.

Forest had now stepped up the pressure and crosses were raining in on the Watford box from both flanks. DeMerit and his fellow defenders were heading and cutting out balls from all angles.

John Eustace entered the action as the second Watford change of the evening - taking the place of Severin in the middle of the pitch.

Forest brought on David McGoldrick to add further pace to their attack as they looked to go all out for the winning goal.

The Golden Boys continued to hold strong despite the pressure from Davies' men.

The home side again looked to their bench with 15 minutes remaining as Dele Adebola came marching onto the pitch in place of Blackstock.

Despite the added firepower for the home side, it was the Hornets who got their noses in front against the run of play.

After a deep ball was played in from Watford's right flank, the ball cannoned around in the penalty box and after it had rebounded off the post, Williamson was at the far post to bundle the ball over the line after Smith's initial goal bound within the six yard box.

Then with much of The City Ground stunned and almost out of nothing, Smith extended Watford's lead.

Smith slots in the Hornets third goal at The City Ground

The current Player of the Year saw an opening from 25 yards and picked out his spot past the despairing Camp.  

The chances didn't stop there for the Golden Boys as a Williamson goal bound effort was cleared off the line by a covering defender.

Forest tried to recover and grab a goal back within the final few minutes - Adebola finishing low but the dive of Loach.

Yet still the game went from end-to-end as the home side looked for their third and equalising goal.
 
Five minutes of extra time was announced as Marvin Sordell made his way onto the pitch in place of Graham.

New loan-signing Tom Cleverly scores his first Watford goal in the dying minutes

But it was Watford who grabbed the final strike of the evening - sub Jon Harley setting up the new boy, Cleverley for a cracking finish to round off a great evening for the 'Orns. 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Lynch, Cohen; Anderson (McGoldrick 64), McGugan (Majewski 26), McKenna (c); Earnshaw, Blackstock (Adebola 75), Tyson. Subs not used: Garner, Davies, Smith (gk), Mitchell.

WATFORD: Loach; Mariappa, Williamson, DeMerit (c), Doyley; McAnuff (Harley 60), Severin (Eustace 63), Jenkins, Cleverley; Graham (Sordell 90), Smith. Subs not used: Lee (gk), Hoskins, Bryan, Hodson.

BOOKINGS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST; Adebola (professional foul 78). WATFORD; Cleverley (ungentlemanly conduct 49).

SENDINGS OFF: NOTTINGHAM FOREST; none. WATFORD; none.

GOALS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST; Blackstock (45+2), Adebola (87) WATFORD; Graham (31), Williamson (77), Smith (80), Cleverley (45+2).

REFEREE: Mr A Bates.

ATTENDANCE: 19, 232 (656 Watford supporters).