Watford inflicted Wrexham’s first league defeat of the year with a 3-1 victory to maintain their Championship playoff push. Goals from Marc Bola and Edo Kayembe did the damage for the Hornets and, although Max Cleworth pulled a goal back, Edoardo Bove scored his first Watford goal in stoppage time.

The hosts made four changes from their defeat at Stoke, with Mattie Pollock, Luca Kjerrumgaard, Nestory Irankunda and Pierre Ekwah, for his full debut, coming in. Wrexham made one change from their Welsh derby victory against Swansea, with Ryan Longman replacing Issa Kaboré.

Watford had the brighter start, and a curled effort from Giorgi Chakvetadze in the 11th minute from the edge of the area hit the crossbar. They took the lead after 18 minutes following a break from their own area, with Chakvetadze running from his own half before backheeling to Bola who struck past Arthur Okonkwo.

The goal had a tinge of controversy when Wrexham’s Ollie Rathbone fell in the Watford area but the referee, Adam Herczeg, awarded nothing.

There was no question about the second Watford goal of the evening after 37 minutes. A break down the...