A 79th minute goal shattered Coventry City's hopes of a point as Watford won 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Leon Best had cancelled out Nathan Ellington's opener, but Tommy Smith's strike took all three points for the home side.
Chris Coleman made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.
Star midfielder Jay Tabb has a virus, so Isaac Osbourne came into midfield. Leon Best returned from suspension and was preferred up front to Michael Mifsud, who had to be content with a place on the bench.
It was the worst possible start for the Sky Blues when on seven minutes, Tommy Smith played the ball through to Ellington on the edge of the box. The former West Brom and Bristol City Rovers man made no mistake as he placed his shot into the bottom corner past the outstretched hand of Schmeichel to make it 1-0.
Osbourne shot straight into the hands of Lee from a free kick, before at the other end, Smith shot over as Watford tried to threaten.
The Hornets were certainly controlling the opening stages of the game and John-Joe O'Toole forced an excellent save from Schmeichel with a rasping shot, before Smith followed up with a cross to the far post, only for Richard Duffy to clear the danger.
At the other end, chances were few and far between although the Sky Blues did create something with 26 on the clock, when Fox's long ball skimmed off the head of Simpson and out for a goal kick.
Best did try and keep up the momentum however, when his firm grass-skimmer from 22-yards was held by Lee.
Smith stabbed it wide on 33 minutes, but it was destined to be the final real opportunity of the half.
Coleman opted to make a substitution at half-time, with Mifsud replacing Richard Duffy. It meant that Osbourne moved to the right-back position, with the Maltese international slotting in on the right side of midfield.
The forward was an instant danger, giving the Hornets defence plenty to think about as he went forward.
But it was actually down the other side of the pitch where Coleman's men had more input and when Gray crossed in from the far left with 59 on the clock, Best made no mistake as he headed it past the keeper from close range to make it 1-1.
The manager elected to make his second attacking substitution of the game on 71 minutes when Zavon Hines replaced Simpson up front.
But it was Aidy Boothroyd's men who would have the impact up front, with Ellington's flick on from a long ball finding Smith on 79 minutes, who kept his cool to finish past Schmeichel and make it 2-1.
Mifsud shot over as the Sky Blues tried to get back onto level terms,
Watford: Lee; Shittu; Sadler; McAnuff (Stewart, 82); Doyley (DeMerit, 86); Williamson; Kabba; Ellington (Mariappa, 82); Bromby; Smith; O'Toole
Subs: Poom; John;
Coventry City; Schmeichel; Duffy (Mifsud, 46); Ward; Dann; Fox; Osbourne; Doyle; Hughes; Gray (Thornton, 88); Best; Simpson (Hines, 71).
Subs: Marshall; Hall;
Bookings: Shittu
Attendance: 17,188 (away 1484)
