Goals from Nahki Wells, James Vaughan and Joel Lynch helped to thwart Watford's promotion hopes as Huddersfield Town won 3-1 at the John Smith's Stadium in the Championship this afternoon.

After a tame opening, Sean Scannell brought the game to life as he shot from distance, only to see his effort rise just inches over the Watford crossbar.

Huddersfield threatened again midway through the half when Wells broke away at pace before finding Vaughan, but the striker was wasteful as he ballooned his shot over the target on the counter.

When finally called upon, Heurelho Gomes provided the required quality to keep his side level as the Watford stopper produced a fine save at the top corner to keep out a header from Wells.

The visitors appeared a little toothless in attack and it took at least 30 minutes for the Hornets to register anything of note, with Troy Deeney winning a knockdown for Gianni Munari to guide straight at the keeper.

Watford started the second period brightly and Miguel Layun tested the hands of Alex Smithies at the keeper's bottom corner, following some productive work from supplier Matej Vydra.

The save was to prove vital as Huddersfield moved down the other end to open the scoring. Wells received the ball from Scannell before sending his shot from the centre of the box into the bottom corner.

The hosts had not accounted for substitute Odion Ighalo, though, as he came on to finish expertly from a tight angle with what was one of his first touches.

With the game seemingly heading towards a draw, Town striker Vaughan changed the course of proceedings when he latched onto a cross from Wells, leaving the 26-year-old to finish neatly into the bottom corner and make it 2-1.

The home side then added the icing to the cake in the 83rd minute through Lynch, who produced an eye-catching overhead kick to cement all three points and potentially dent Watford's promotion ambitions.