Watford have sealed their place in the Championship play-offs with three games to play. It’s a fine achievement but the Hornets want more this season. They want automatic promotion and the Golden Boys remain in the race for a top two finish after defeating Nottingham Forest 3-1 this evening.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side certainly made hard work of it though. Odion Ighalo and Matthew Connolly had put Watford two goals ahead at the break and it all seemed to be going to plan.

And the Reds were reduced to ten men just before the hour mark when Kelvin Wilson was dismissed for kicking out at Ighalo.

Instead of killing off the contest, the Hornets almost capitulated. Gary Gardener curled home and excellent free-kick to reduce the deficit and Forest launched an assault on the visitors’ goal.

But Watford managed to survive and the ensured victory in the 87th minute when Almen Abdi thumped home from 20 yards.

It was a case of job done but nerves shredded.

Given results on Tuesday night Watford needed to win at the City Ground. Jokanovic made four changes to the Hornets side which started the win at Millwall.

Craig Cathcart returned from injury in defence in place of Tommie Hoban and Marco Motta came in at right wing-back with Juan Carlos Paredes on the substitutes’ bench.

Abdi started in midfield with Daniel Tozser dropped to the bench and Ighalo replaced Matej Vydra up front.

The Hornets almost made the worst possible start to the contest and could have fallen behind in the first minute.

Arsenal loanee Chuba Akpom teed up Michail Antonio on the edge of the penalty area and his scuffed shot turned into an excellent pass for Chris Burke.

The midfielder was unmarked eight yards out and had plenty of time to drive a low shot towards goal. Fortunately for the visitors, the ball struck Heurelho Gomes and bounced wide.

Despite less than 60 seconds being played you sensed it was a huge moment in the contest. And three minutes later Watford broke the deadlock.

It was a simple goal. Abdi swung a corner into the six yard box, Cathcart flicked the ball on and Ighalo was on hand to head home at the back post.

The away support was in full voice and their side threatened again from a set piece as Cathcart headed another Abdi corner wide.

The goal settled an early nerves Watford may have had. The Golden Boys moved the ball swiftly across the pitch and looked confident in possession.

Forest, however, maintained a threat and Gomes was alert to deny Antonio, Ben Osborn and then Gardner’s shots from distance.

Watford continued to pass and probe and in the 23rd minute they should have added to their lead. Adlene Guedioura fizzed a pass into the feet of Ighalo and his clever lay-off put Abdi through.

The Swiss international was one-on-one with Karl Darlow and had the goal at his mercy. He had to score but, somehow, toe-punted his shot wide.

Guedioura then rifled a half volley over the crossbar before Abdi forced Darlow into a routine save from a free-kick.

The opening period was played at a frantic pace. A superb dipping volley from Forest’s Eric Lichaj was expertly tipped wide by Gomes. It was another crucial save.

And, for a second time, the Golden Boys took full advantage by adding a second goal. It was created and scored by Connolly.

The centre-back won possession on the edge of his own penalty area and sprinted forward 70 yards before passing to Ighalo.

The Nigerian international cut onto his left foot and drove a low shot towards goal that Darlow parried.

Jack Hobbs failed to clear the rebound and Connolly was left with a simple finish from two yards. The travelling Hornets fans erupted in celebration.

Forest’s cavalier approach wasn’t altered, however. They created the final opportunity of the half as the ball was moved to Gardener on the edge of the area and his low shot was well held by Gomes.

Watford knew before kick-off that a three-goal winning margin would send them back into the top two. They came close to adding to their lead seconds after the restart.

A sustained period of pressure resulted in Motta delivering a deep cross to Anya and his volley was saved by Darlow.

Forest went straight back on the attack and Burke wasted a glorious chance to reduce the deficit when he skewed a shot over from 12 yards following an Antonio cut-back.

For a team with little to play for the home side had acquitted themselves excellently throughout the contest.

But just before the hour mark they were reduced to ten men. Ighalo and Wilson tangled in midfield and the Forest defender retaliated. He kicked out at the striker who immediately fell to the ground.

After deliberating with his fourth official referee Paul Tierney dismissed the Forest defender.

Ighalo, who aimed a small kick at Lichaj while on the ground, escaped without punishment.

Watford had half an hour to play against ten men. It was the perfect opportunity to be ruthless and boost their goal difference.

To their credit, Forest didn’t sit back and defend. They still offered an attacking threat and substitute Tyler Walker provided a good outlet.

Watford became sloppy. Possession was given away cheaply. The volume of home support increased.

And their side responded with a goal. Lichaj was fouled by Cathcart on the edge of the penalty area and Gardener dispatched an excellent free-kick past Gomes.

Watford’s nerves were rattling. They almost conceded a second when sloppy marking from a free-kick allowed Burke space to cross. Cathcart blocked but the Hornets failed to clear. Fortunately Gardener smashed his shot well over.

The Golden Boys needed a third goal. Ighalo forced Darlow into a low stop before the hosts’ goalkeeper produced an excellent reaction save to deny Deeney from close range.

In defence, Watford were all over the place and Forest were given far too much room to test Gomes.

Fortunately the Brazilian continued to produce big saves and he excellently denied Gardener once again. The rebound fell to Antonio but, from four yards out, he turned the ball wide. It was a massive let off. 

The Hornets were desparate for another goal to kill the game and they got it with three minutes remaining.

A free-kick forward was passed to Guedioura who released a powerful shot on goal. Darlow could only punch and the ball dropped to Abdi who lashed home a half volley from 20 yards.

You could sense the relief among the away fans and the Watford players and staff. Attention turned to finding a fourth goal which would have put the Hornets back into second spot.

They had one chance but Abdi blazed over from distance. It was the final opportunity of a pulsating game.

So Watford are back up to third in the table. Birmingham City visit Vicarage Road on Saturday. Another three points is essential.

Nottingham Forest: Darlow; Kane, Hobbs, Wilson, Lichaj; Mancienne, Gardner; Burke, Osborn (Lansbury 85), Antonio (Barrow 91); Akpom (Walker57).

Nottingham Forest substitutes: Evtimov, Fox, Blackstock, Vaughan.

Watford: Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Connolly (Hoban 61); Motta (Paredes 70), Guedioura, Watson, Abdi, Anya (Tozser 73); Deeney, Ighalo.

Watford substitutes: Bond, Layun, Munari, Vydra.

Referee: Paul Tierney.

Attendance: 20,723 (1,942)