Ashley Young scored his third goal in as many games to sink Ipswich and bring an end to Watford's six-match winless run in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Young, a 20-year-old wide midfielder, took his tally for the season to nine with a second-half header.

Both sides enjoyed decent spells of possession before and after Young's goal but far too often the final ball was lacking and clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle was forced to change his line-up just before the kick-off when goalkeeper Lewis Price was ruled out with a cold.

Shane Supple was handed his second start between the sticks, while Jim Magilton and Jimmy Juan came in for injured pair Owen Garvan and Kevin Horlock.

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd made one change from the midweek draw at Sheffield Wednesday with Jay DeMerit back in and Malky Mackay dropping to the bench.

The Tractor Boys, with only one win from their last six home matches, started brightly and Adam Proudlock almost finished off a flowing move after 10 minutes but his effort flew wide of the target.

Watford's first real chance came from a set-piece and Clarke Carlisle's downward header from Young's free-kick was easily dealt with by Supple.

The hosts continued to string the passes together and Nicky Forster played in Darren Currie midway through the first half but his shot flashed across the face of the goal, just out of Forster's reach.

Watford enjoyed their best spell towards the end of the opening period before Proudlock had a half chance to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time - but he failed to get his shot away and the attack broke down.

Matt Richards blasted over the crossbar and Proudlock was denied by goalkeeper Ben Foster as Ipswich looked for the opener early in the second half but it was Watford who drew first blood 10 minutes after the restart.

Supple got a hand to Marlon King's header from Paul Devlin's cross but Young reacted quickest to nod home the rebound.

Darius Henderson tested Supple with a header five minutes later and King saw a long-range effort blocked by Richard Naylor as the visitors tried to double their advantage.

The Hornets did have the ball in the net midway through the second half but the referee spotted an infringement and DeMerit was left disappointed.

Watford substitute Alhassan Bangura had a chance to put the game to bed with a couple of minutes remaining but he snatched at the shot and fired high over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Sporting Life