Brighton & Hove Albion have escaped from Vicarage Road with a 1-0 win over Watford.

In the first half the teams were closely matched, with Mark Yeates coming closest on 16 minutes after having an earlier shot blocked.

Brighton were just on top in the first half and their edging of the possession continued early in the second.

After 50 minutes Daniel Pudil brought down Craig Mackail-Smith in the box and the Brighton striker dispatched his penalty to give the visitors the lead.

Watford, and in particular Yeates, started to get themselves back in the game but Gus Poyet's rigid back line was holding firm.

Brighton withstood some late threat from Watford to claim the smash-and-grab away win.