Watford's poor form continued as they lost to relegated Scunthorpe, leaving their play-off hopes in the balance.

The Hornets, who have won just once in their last 13 games, cut a nervous team and lacked any kind of spark and quality before going behind.

Jonathan Forte shrugged off Lloyd Doyley down the left and, from his driven cross, Paul Hayes was on hand to head past Richard Lee from six yards.

Watford now need a win at Blackpool to make sure of a play-off spot.

Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd:
"We have a team that fear the finishing line.

"As a manager when you see players are afraid then you have to change it.

"Wherever there is fear you can turn and run or stay and fight. We have to fight because if we don't then we won't get promoted. It's as simple as that."

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins
"After the defeat to Crystal Palace which sent us down we set ourselves some new goals.

"We had a well deserved victory over Cardiff and another today and that's two wins in pre-season for League One.

"We've got 45 points now and that would have kept us up last season. It's a great achievement for Scunthorpe."

Watford: Lee, Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart, Smith, Eustace, O'Toole, McAnuff (Ellington 61), Henderson (Ainsworth 61), Priskin.
Subs Not Used: Poom, Williamson, Mariappa.

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Butler, Iriekpen, Byrne, Williams, Hurst (Sparrow 45), Morris, Cork, Forte (Winn 88), Hayes (Wright 89), May.
Subs Not Used: Weston, Picton.

Goals: Hayes 69.

Att: 16,454

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).