Watford 2-0 Bristol City: Chris Wilder gets second win as Hornets boss

Bristol City have not scored in any of their last four league games against Watford - a run going back to January 2013

Chris Wilder got his second win as Watford boss as the Hornets beat Bristol City 2-0 to move within three points of the Championship play-off places.

The Hornets got off to a great start when Harry Cornick's own goal gave them a sixth-minute lead, but were grateful to goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann who made a number of first-half saves.

City should have levelled early in the second half when Nahki Wells saw an effort saved, but soon after they were 2-0 down thanks Joao Pedro's powerful effort.

Wells hit the Watford bar with a free-kick after an hour but the Robins could not find a way back into the game.

The win keeps Watford in 12th place in the Championship, one of six teams within three points of the final play-off place, meanwhile City drop down to 14th as their season appears to be fizzling out.

The Hornets put speculation surrounding the future of Wilder behind them as they ended a four-game winless run to get just a third victory in 15 games.

They were fortunate with their sixth-minute opener - Pedro fired a cross to the back post where Cameron Pring's clearance came off Cornick and into the net.

But that galvanised City as Cornick forced a 15th-minute save from Bachmann, who also stopped a Wells header soon after, before visiting goalkeeper Max O'Leary kept out an Ismaila Sarr effort.

Pedro had a headed chance soon after the restart which missed the target, and the Hornets were almost made to pay when another Wells' effort was superbly tipped wide by Bachmann.

Buoyed by that save Watford went ahead as Pedro cut in on his right foot and saw an effort go under O'Leary, who may have been unsighted by defender Zak Vyner.

It seemed it would not be City's day when Wells struck the bar after Alex Scott was fouled on the edge of the box, as Nigel Pearson's side saw their three-game undefeated run came to an end.