A late penalty from Lewis McGugan helped Watford secure three vital points in their Championship clash with Doncaster Rovers.

The home side took the lead in the 13th minute when Lewis McGugan's chipped effort from the edge of the area took a deflection and looped over Ross Turnbull and trickled over the line.

However, Rovers responded and drew level just three minutes later when Manuel Almunia could only palm away Theo Robinson's shot and the ball landed at the feet of Chris Brown, who fired the ball home.

The visitors had a great chance to take the lead just before the break when James Husband raided down the left and hit a ball across the face of the goal but somehow the ball evaded the foot of Brown and went out for a goal kick.

After half time, Doncaster had a great chance to take the lead when Husband and Brown combined again but the latter could only head the left-back's cross over the bar after he rose highest in the area to meet it.

Watford responded and went close through Fernando Forestieri when he linked up with McGugan on the edge of the area and the Italian fired an effort at goal, which took a deflection but the ball bounced kindly into the hands of Turnbull.

Ikechi Anya came within inches of handing Gianfranco Zola's side the lead late on but his effort was well saved by Turnbull, who just got enough on the ball to stop it crossing the line before it was cleared.

Zola's side's pressure finally told when they were awarded a penalty in the 87th minute and McGugan made no mistake slotting the ball into the net to hand his team the win.