City 2, Watford 1: First-half goals from Claus Jorgensen and Andy Gray powered City to their first home win for over a month this afternoon.

Jorgensen's header was cancelled out by a Heidar Helguson lob but Watford, who have never won at Valley Parade, immediately conceded a penalty which was stroked home by top-scorer Gray.

Robert Molenaar made his first start since February 8 in a City side showing three changes from that which started the Millwall game a fortnight ago.

Molenaar, sidelined by a torn calf, had successfully come through two reserve outings since and was prefered to Andy Myers.

Another Dutchman, Laurens Ten Heuvel, was also handed his first chance in front of a home crowd. Ten Heuvel, on loan from Sheffield United, replaced new England under-19 starlet Danny Forrest.

And Lewis Emanuel came in for Ben Muirhead who he had come on during the first half of the loss to the Lions.

Watford made six changes from their losing FA Cup semi-final side as they looked to win on Bradford turf for the first time.

Molenaar lined up at right back with Gus Uhlenbeek ahead of him in midfield. And Uhlenbeek quickly got on the ball to win City a corner in the second minute.

Simon Francis whipped in a dangerous cross which Watford defender Allan Nielsen knew little about as he got it away before heading over his own bar to concede number two.

Another low crowd had ignored the chill wind to turn out and they were nearly rewarded with an explosive effort out of nothing from Claus Jorgensen who whipped a volley on the turn inches wide after five minutes.

Uhlenbeek shrugged off Richard Johnson to clip in another useful cross which beat everyone and then the Dutchman, continuing his frenetic start, picked out Andy Gray with a sweeping pass and Gavin Mahon was forced to give away another City corner.

Jorgensen thundered in another effort which was smothered but the pressure was still on Watford. Alec Chamberlain athletically denied Francis at the near post and, as the ball ran loose, Gray flicked it back into the goalmouth where JORGENSEN buried the header.

The Dane took his season's goal tally to 11 and it was no more than City deserved from such a positive opening.

Tommy Smith's response was muted by Molenaar but the momentum was very much with the home side and Jorgensen had another go from 20 yards.

Lee Cook provided a tempting centre to Aidan Davison's back post but play was pulled back for a push on Mark Bower by the bleached-blond Heidar Helguson.

But City survived after 20 minutes when Mahon's free-kick was cleared unconvincingly out of the box as far as Micah Hyde who blasted a left-footer against the top of the bar.

City were fuming when the advantage was waved after Jorgensen was cut down - only for Gray to be given offside when he received the pass from the midfielder just inside the Watford area.

The Bantams were knocking the ball around well and a swift midfield passing movement ended with Francis trying his luck from some way out. The 18-year-old, unlucky not to join Forrest in the England age group team, was making his point eloquently with another all-action display.

City had another escape after 26 minutes thanks to a contender for miss of the season. Smith's cross put a goal on a plate for his strike partner Helguson who was unmarked inside the six-yard box.

Helguson only had to touch it to score - but unbelievably screwed his header straight back in the direction of his stunned team-mate, much to the hilarity of the Kop.

Helguson glanced wide another Smith cross two minutes later but was still getting plenty of abuse from the home fans behind the goal.

Watford were threatening on the break and Cook got in behind Molenaar who couldn't challenge for risk of a penalty. David Wetherall headed the cross for Watford's first corner which was scrambled away.

But there seemed to be no stopping Jorgensen who almost doubled his tally eight minutes before the break with a sensational effort. Uhlenbeek swept a cross-field pass which Jorgensen kept up on the volley, flicking over Mahon before producing a dipping blast which Chamberlain tipped over his bar. It was the sort of effort that Matt Le Tissier would have tried in his pomp.

But City were rocked on their heels four minutes later as Watford drew level. Hyde's pass out of defence hung up in the swirling wind allowing HELGUSON to cut inside Wetherall and win possession before floating an exquisite lob over the stranded Davison.

Yet straight from the kick-off City restored their one-goal advantage. Jorgensen was cut down in the left corner of the box by Mahon and GRAY stepped up to ease home the penalty, fooling Chamberlain with a trademark shimmy before slotting the spot-kick low in the opposite corner to the diving keeper.

HALF-TIME: City 2, Watford 1

Uhlenbeek went in search of a third City goal at the start of the second half, his looping cross being met by a disappointing header from the well-placed Gray.

Jorgensen maintained his trigger-happy approach but another attempted thunderbolt was cut short at source by Johnson's diving challenge.

Watford won their second corner after 52 minutes but Davison claimed Nielsen's swirling kick on his line.

A careless pass from Molenaar put City under needless pressure but Helguson snatched at the sudden opening and rolled his effort wide from 18 yards. City were still hunting more and after Jorgensen was crowded out in a frantic Watford penalty area the loose ball ran to Emanuel, only for Chamberlain to dive at his feet and block his first-time shot.

The wind was making it difficult for both sides and the quality of play did not match that of the first half. There was a bit of edginess in the crowd who feared that Watford were still capable of finding a second equaliser.

The Hornets forced a clutch of corners and from their fifth, Davison had to be brave to block Smith from close quarters after the ball had dropped invitingly in the striker's direction.

Molenaar floated a useful-looking pass into the Watford box after 69 minutes which Gray controlled tightly before driving low but straight at a relieved Chamberlain.

Wetherall guided a Paul Robinson free-kick behind for another Watford corner - the Hornets were winning the flag-kick count 5-0 since half-time - but Helguson headed it harmlessly off course.

Watford were dominating possession without seriously hurting the home side but Nicky Law was looking anxious on the sidelines as he hurled orders at his players. Law made a popular move with 15 minutes to go, replacing the ineffective Ten Heuvel with Forrest.

Wetherall got caught late by Helguson and was limping for a few minutes as Watford made a double change. Anthony McNamee and highly-rated Michael Chopra came on for Cook and Nielsen.

Wetherall should have made it 3-1 with a free header from Francis' free-kick but the ball boomed inches over Chamberlain's bar.

Davison had to be watchful at the other end, scrambling back to claim a curling attempt by Smith above his head. Watford brought on Jamie Hand for Hyde with five minutes to go.

Davison was flapping as he tried to claim a cross from Sean Dyche. The assistant-referee flagged for a foul but it was against the Watford centre-half not the home goalkeeper. City won their first corner of the half as added time began, allowing the home sided to kill time.