Stephy Mavididi scored the only goal as Watford beat Lincoln City to move away from the Championship relegation zone and ease the pressure on boss Alessio Dionisi.

After a subdued opening 45 minutes, Mavididi's powerful strike from the edge of the area lit up Vicarage Road just 38 seconds into the second-half - though the Imps complained that a throw-in during the build-up to the goal should have been given the other way.

The visitors dominated possession for much of the rest of the match and came close to an equaliser when Deji Elerewe's header hit the bar.

But Dionisi's side held on to move to 20th and four points clear of the bottom three after fellow strugglers Burnley drew at QPR.

The result meant the Hornets recorded back-to-back home league wins for the first time since January, with league leaders Middlesbrough next on their agenda.

Dionisi's side owed much to the commanding presence of captain Mattie Pollock and goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia as the away side piled forward.

But Lincoln's joint head coaches Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw - both serving a touchline ban - will have to reflect on their side's failure to convert their territory into chances, with just one shot on target.

The 17th placed Imps have now won just one of their past seven Championship fixtures ahead of Saturday's trip to QPR.

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It's a good night for everyone. For our supporters, because I am happy for them. I'm happy for my team. It is one match, but it will be important.

"With [the] ball in the first half it was difficult. But in the second half we found the goal.

"It's difficult for me to find other words than that I am happy for everyone, because it's important for our future and our next match because we play at home against a big team - and at this moment the best team in this league".

Lincoln City joint head coach Tom Shaw speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire:

"I think we got in really good situations, just our quality wasn't at its best tonight. Some of our deliveries hit the first man too many times.

"We didn't have that spark around the goal, but that's fine. That's how it goes. Some nights it'll click, some days like [against] Burnley it will be beautiful. Some days not quite as good.

"I thought we got into good areas of the pitch, we were threatening up to around the penalty area but the moments in and around there it just didn't quite click tonight."