A superb strike from Ryan Andrews earned Watford their fifth consecutive home win as they beat Bristol City 1-0.

The Hornets were made to work hard for it and, while never quite being at their best, battled hard and showed plenty of spirit in the closing stages.

There were three changes to the starting line-up from Friday night at Plymouth.

Francisco Sierralta, Festy Ebosele and Edo Kayembe all came into the side while James Morris, Yasser Larouci and Moussa Sissoko dropped to the bench.

Jeremy Ngakia was in a matchday squad for the first time since mid-August and Pierre Dwomoh was also on the bench after recovering from illness.

The first half was a pretty poor affair, lacking quality in key moments although it was Daniel Bachmann who had to make more saves.

Watford were better in the second half and, once they had gone ahead, saw the game out relatively well, save for one late City effort that hit the bar.

Here’s how the game unfolded:

2 - Hirakawa came in from the right but his low shot was comfortably smothered by Bachmann.

15 - City cleared a Louza cross but only as far as Chakvetadze whose first-time volley from 20 yards flew wide.

19 - Mehmeti slipped Wells in on the left of the box but Bachmann was off his line quickly to block.

20 - Excellent reaction save from Bachmann keeps out Mehmeti's glancing header.

22 - Sierralta set Chakvetadze racing away. He got to the box and had a shot blocked, the ball ran to Ebosele and he curled an effort way over.

27 - Kayembe freed Ebosele down the left, he cut the ball back behind Bayo who managed to control it, turn and shoot over.

34 - Quick break out from the back sees City work the ball to Mehmeti on the left of the box, but Bachmann pouches his angled drive.

37 - Ebosele's cross ran behind everyone and was heading out of the box. Kayembe chased to retrieve it but then dragged a shot wide.

Half-time – Watford 0 Bristol City 0

47 - Corner driven into the near post, Knight stabs it goalwards and Bachmann reacts superbly to block low down.

53 – Watford 1 (Andrews) Bristol City 0

Chakvetadze rolled the ball into the path of Andrews and, from a stride inside the box, he hammered a low shot across O'Leary and in via the base of the far post.

86 - Let off for Watford as Twine hits a dipping effort from 30 yards that beats Bachmann but cannons back off the bar.

Full-time – Watford 1 Bristol City 0

Watford: Bachmann; Porteous, Sierralta (Morris 65), Pollock; Andrews, Louza, Kayembe (Ince 83), Ebosele (Larouci 60); Chakvetadze, Baah (Sissoko 45); Bayo (Doumbia 83). Subs: Bond, Ngakia, Sema, Dwomoh