Slavisa Jokanovic accepted his Watford side had a difficult day against Wigan Athletic but said it was important the Hornets clinched victory despite being far from their best.

The Golden Boys impressed in the opening half an hour of this afternoon's contest and deservedly led through Troy Deeney.

However, Wigan improved and levelled on the stroke of half time thanks to Chris McCann’s powerful header.

The Latics controlled the early stages of the second period and Watford struggled. The visitors created chances but couldn’t take them. It proved costly.

Watford rallied and, in the 82nd minute, Ikechi Anya’s cross was met by Deeney and he headed past Scott Carson to seal victory for the Hornets.

“Today was a difficult day for us,” Jokanovic admitted after the victory “We didn’t play a brilliant game but it is important for us to win this kind of game.

“I understand many people expected us to repeat what we did against Fulham but this was a different team in front of us.

“Wigan played a good game. They didn’t make many good chances but they were fresher, stronger and faster than us for many moments in the game.

“Really I have to be happy because we have won this game - especially this kind of match.

“In some games we have lost when we should have won but we didn’t have a brilliant day today but still got the points.”

Deeney’s brace took his goal tally for the campaign to nine. Jokanovic has backed the Hornets captain to surpass the 24 goals he struck last season but was quick to praise his other attacking options.

“Troy is important, as always. In our offensive line though (Matej) Vydra did a very good job today and (Odion) Ighalo helped us very much in the last 15 minutes. Fernando (Foresteri) as well is an important player for us.

“I have other strikers to guarantee injuries won’t weaken these positions and that is good news for me and us.

“So today we weren’t brilliant but had the quality to help us win the game.”

The Hornets have struggled this season when defending crosses into their penalty box and Wigan’s goal came from a James McLean corner.

It is an area that Jokanovic admitted Watford must improve.

He said: “They had 60 minutes around our box because we lost control and we played without confidence. This is not one chance and one goal.

“They were around our box for long period and something bad can happen. We must improve defending the cross and defend set pieces better.

“We are the best team in the Championship in this area. Our quality is a little bit different. But to be competitive we must be more aggressive and pay more attention in these situations.”