Snapshot: Cardiff's home curse continued on Wednesday night, as two soft goals gave high flying Watford three points to cement their position at the top of the table.

The Hornets were ahead going into half time thanks to a calamitous goal after sixteen minutes gifting Henderson his first of the evening - Cardiff looking full of effort and passion, but lacking the sense of a plan as they played well in pockets without really threatening.

Cardiff again pressurised their guests in the second half, but still couldn't unlock Watford's back line, leaving Poom largely comfortable. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink just after the hour gave City a temporary lifeline as he showed his qualities by bending an excellent shot around the experienced Watford stopper.

The equaliser did enough to see Cardiff threaten to steal as the quality levels going forward increased. Thirteen minutes from the end however, Henderson was again left with far too much space as he latched on to a chip from Mahon, brushed off Johnson and fired the ball home for the winner.

Team News: Glenn Loovens late failed fitness test meant that again Kevin McNaughton took up a spot in central defence partnering Roger Johnson. Further changes came in midfield as Paul Parry dropped to the left in favour of Peter Whittingham. Paul's change of duties from the weekend meant that up front we saw a front pairing of Jimmy and Robbie.

Cardiff: Turnbull, Gunter, McNaughton, Johnson, Capaldi, Sinclair, Rae, McPhail, Parry, Fowler, Hasselbaink. Subs: Oakes, Whittingham, Ledley, Thompson, Blake.

Henderson for Watford did enough against Southampton to warrant a place in Aidy Boothroyd's starting eleven partnering club record signing Nathan Ellington while Marlon King took up a place on the bench. Elsewhere, loan signing Adam Johnson started in place of former Bluebird Jobi McAnuff and Adrian Mariappa took Lee Williamson's place in midfield.

Chronological Report: Cardiff started the match off facing the Grange End after the toss saw both teams swap sides. The opening ten minutes didn't have too much to write home about as both teams weighed up the opposition. Cardiff were lovely through Parry on the left, though any chances of note were found wanting.

Cardiff were the first to raise the temperature, doing so twice in the space of sixty seconds to inspire the home supporters. First it was Chris Gunter who was set free on the right, overlapping and presented by Sinclair's battle. Gunter then surged forward, looked up and then chipped the ball up and beyond Mart Poom. The ball dipped, but unfortunately not enough as it just cleared Poom's bar.

Less than a minute later Parry's industry gained the winger further ground - his solo effort seeing him cut in and then despatch a rasping mid height shot to sting the palms of Poom.

Watford didn't really test Turnbull with any of their attacking play, but on sixteen minutes took what may yet be regarded as the gift of the season. A free-kick from the left after Gunter was called to have fouled Ellington was sent in to the box, leading to calamity as both Turnbull and the back line went totally asleep. The ball trickled out to a more than grateful Henderson, who simply popped the ball into the net.

GOAL: CARDIFF 0 -1 WATFORD. Henderson. 16 mins

The goal was a desperately bad one to give away, especially at home - but Cardiff tried to pick themselves straight back up. Minutes later Jimmy fired a shot which was blocked by the Hornets back line. City then found ways to get forward thanks to Sinclair's tenacity on the right, but both times the crosses were left to go begging, much to Poom's relief.

The majority of action was taking place in Watford's half, but without any end product to force parity in the match. The home league curse looked well and truly in place after thirty six minutes as Jimmy's clever move to steal in on a back-pass saw him one on one with Poom, only to take to long to turn before his low drive was scrambled clear by the former Gunners keeper.

To be fair, the players on the park were busting a gut to try and get back into the match - Watford pushed back under constant pressure, but still no way through could be found. The half was closed with Cardiff ahead on territory, but without any sign of a real test for Poom, the gifted goal was enough to place the Hornets back on top of the Championship pile.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 1 WATFORD

The second half began with Watford as comfortable as they could be. Cardiff were full of effort in the opening ten minutes, but looked like a plan was lacking. This suited the Hornets fine, as they sat back and soaked up the pressure.

While Jordan Stewart came close to giving us a goal through his sliced clearance after Paul Parry's cross, Watford came closest to a goal after twelve minutes of the second half as Henderson powered a stinger off Turnbull's gloves.

Watford introduced Marlon King just before the hour, but just as we were contemplating his dangers, up popped Jimmy to remind us of his own qualities, as he ten yards outside the area checked his marker, looked up and whipped a lovely ball around Poom to give us an unlikely equaliser. The goal celebration from Hasselbaink's first Cardiff goal clearly showed that his love for the game is still well and truly alive. He joined the ecstatic thirteen thousand fans with a leap, a roar and a punch.

CARDIFF 1 - 1 WATFORD. Hasselbaink. 60 mins.

Watford were probably as stunned as I was in the press box, but responded to the equaliser by coming forward two minutes later. Lloyd Doyley sent in a great cross from the right, finding Henderson closing in on Turnbull's goal, though his header was palmed out by Turnbull, who then collected well from the resulting corner.

Cardiff were fired up, especially Hasselbaink who after seventy two minutes could have made it two as his midrange shot looked certain for the top corner if not for Poom's magnificent save.

Minutes later Jimmy was involved again; this time setting the ball to Sinclair on the right, who in space turned his shot low for Poom to block.

Watford looked close to bagging a cheeky goal after seventy six minutes as on loan Adam Johnson fired a cross come shotfrom distance. The ball almost looped in too, but for Turnbull who had no choice but to flick it over the bar.

A minute later Watford did find the back of the net, but through a level of confusion. Gavin Mahon was at the start of the move, as he chipped the ball to Henderson, who out-muscled Johnson and fired home from close range without enough pressure to prevent the winner.

GOAL: CARDIFF 1 - 2 WATFORD. Henderson. 77 mins.

Three changes followed the goal, as Watford introduced Jobi McAnuff for Johnson, while Steve Thompson replaced Chris Gunter. Two minutes later Jones threw the dice by sacrificing Fowler for Whittingham.

The match ended after four minutes of further frustration for the home support, who made their feelings clear at the final whistle. The curse is starting to look more likely as the days go by. But then I doubt you've read this far.

FULL TIME: CARDIFF 1 - 2 WATFORD

Cardiff: Turnbull, Gunter (Thompson 82), McNaughton, Johnson, Capaldi, Sinclair, McPhail, Rae, Parry, Fowler (Whittingham 84), Hasselbaink. Subs Not Used: Oakes, Ledley, Blake. Booked: Hasselbaink. Goals: Hasselbaink 61.

Watford: Poom, Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Mariappa (O'Toole 73), Stewart, Mahon, Johnson (McAnuff 79), Smith, Darius Henderson, Ellington (King 59). Subs Not Used: Lee, Priskin. Goals: Darius Henderson 17, 78.

Att: 13,169

Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)