Derby County hit the woodwork three times as they were sucked closer to the Championship relegation zone with a 2-0 defeat at home to Watford.

After James Abankwah was booked for a late tackle on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Watford's response was immediate as Kwadwo Baah outstripped Eiran Cashin for pace before crossing into the box.

Derby did not deal with the cross and there was Imran Louza to sweep up as he prodded his shot beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. Warne's side began to ask some questions of their own with Cashin completely miskicking a cross from Mendez-Laing when any connection would have resulted in an equaliser.

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Paul Warne's side then fashioned their best move of the game when Kenzo Goudmijn released Kane Wilson whose cross to the back post was met by Mendez-Laing whose shot cannoned off the bar. It fell back to Kayden Jackson whose overhead kick also hit the frame of the goal. Just before half-time, Cashin saw a header tipped over by Bond as they looked for an equaliser but the resulting corner came to nothing.

Derby upped the tempo after the break and again Derby wasted a couple of excellent chances as Mendez-Laing fired straight at Bond following good work from Yates and then Adams hit the outside of the post after good work from Yates. At the other end, Moussa Sissoko then hit the bar with his effort bouncing off the woodwork onto the head of Zetterstrom and out for a corner.

But Watford eventually had their second when a quick counter-attack led to Vakoun Bayo slipping in Edo Kayembe who made no mistake with the finish. Derby tried valiantly to get back into the game, but could not find a goal as their miserable run continues with Derby now just a point above the drop zone.

Jacob Widell-Zetterstrom: Scuffed a couple of kicks and didn't look entirely relaxed in the first half. Made some good saves in the second as Watford turned the screw. 6

Kane Wilson: Produced plenty of effort and willingness to attack the Watford defence and one cross should have been rewarded with a goal but incredibly Derby hit the bar twice in the space of 15 seconds. 6

Curtis Nelson: Had the physical power to match the strength of Watford's attack and he was one player who refused to be bullied. However, his lack of pace was exposed on a couple of occasions. 5

Eiran Cashin: Back in his first game after a lengthy absence due to a hamstring problem. Couldn't match Kwadwo Baah for pace early on as the winger's cross proved crucial for the goal. 5

Callum Elder: Started the game poorly and just seemed to pass the ball out of play which was a real source of frustration. Kept plugging away down the left and got better as the game wore on. 5.5

Ebou Adams: Physically the only player in Derby's midfield who could match the presence of Watford's. Rattled into the challenges and put his body on the line. Hit the post. 7.5

Kenzo Goudmijn: Found it hard to create openings although there was one pass to Wilson which should have led to a goal. Has plenty of ability but not quite the physicality. 5

Ben Osborn: Played at the base of the midfield and tried to get Derby moving. Set-pieces were okay but it was a hard afternoon for Derby in an attacking sense. 5

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: Was the subject of a shocking tackle in the first couple of minutes, but should have pulled Derby level when he crashed a shot off the bar in the first half. Had another good chance after the break. Needed more composure. 5.5

Jerry Yates: Tried to pick up positions in behind the Watford defence but hard to recall a moment when the striker created a chance for himself or had one provided to him. He tended to tee up for others. 5.5

Kayden Jackson: Hit the bar with an overhead kick which came about 10 seconds after Mendez-Laing had hit the woodwork. Created a good chance for Adams from which the midfielder hit the post. 5

Subs

Corey Blackett-Taylor (Jackson 62): Added pace and trickery. Has to be pushing for starts now. 7

Craig Forsyth (Elder 74): Game was lost by time he came on. 4.5

Dajaune Brown (Mendez-Laing 74): Couldn't find a goal. 4.5

Marcus Harness (Goudmijn 74): Didn't do much to hurt the visitors. 4.5

Joe Ward (Wilson 81): Swung over a couple of crosses. 4.5

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