Darius Henderson struck twice, once in each half, to give Watford a 2-1 victory over hosts Cardiff at Ninian Park on Wednesday night.

American defender Jay DeMerit made his fifth start of the season for Watford, who moved back into first place in the league with 15 points.

The first two scoring opportunities of the game belonged to Cardiff. In the 12th minute a cross by Chris Gunter sailed just over the Watford crossbar. Paul Parry had the next good opportunity from the edge of the box, but Watford keeper Mart Poom stopped the shot.

Henderson first struck the back of the net in the 18th minute when he scored following a goal line scuffle between several Watford forwards and Cardiff city defenders. The play was Watford's first attack attempt of the game and resulted from a free kick by Adam Johnson.

The lead would disappear 15 minutes into the second half when Cardiff's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored. After several missed chances throughout the game, his shot from the middle of the Watford half hit the net just inside the left post.

Henderson struck again in the 78th minute when the Cardiff defense let him go unchecked. He took a chipped pass from Gavin Mahon behind the defense and hit the back of the net with his shot.

Marlon King was benched in favor of Henderson, who also tallied twice against Southampton on Saturday. His two goals in the game brought his total to five in three games for Watford.

The win gave Watford their third straight win on visits to Ninian Park.

Scoring
WAT - Darius Henderson 4 18'
CRD - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 1 60'
WAT - Darius Henderson 5 (Gavin Mahon) 78'

Line-ups
CRD - Ross Turnbull; Chris Gunter (Steven Thompson 82'), Roger Johnson, Kevin McNaughton, Tony Capaldi, Trevor Sinclair, Steven McPhail, Gavin Rae, Paul Parry, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Robbie Fowler (Whittingham 84')

WAT - Mart Poom; Lloyd Doyley, Danny Shittu, Jay DeMerit, Jordan Stewart, Adam Johnson (Jobi McAnuff 79'), Gavin Mahon, Adrian Mariappa (John O'Toole 73), Tommy Smith, Nathan Ellington (Marlon King 59'), Darius Henderson