Stephen Elliott continued his football education at Vicarage Road last night.

The Sunderland striker's seventh goal of the season ensured that the Black Cats stretched their run to just one defeat in their last nine League games.

Elliott and Mart Poom were the heroes, with the Estonia international pulling off an excellent full-length save to deny Watford striker Danny Webber at the death.

But it was Republic of Ireland Under-21 man Elliott who just stole the man-of-the-match honours, and he is rapidly becoming a first-choice for Mick McCarthy in attack.

The recent run of form now has the Black Cats snapping at the heels of the Championship pace- setters and Elliott is their top scorer.

Neil Ardley opened the scoring in the ninth minute, only for Elliott to respond in a game that was high on energy but low on quality.

With the game petering out as the clocked ticked down, both sides could have nicked it at the end.

First Julio Arca and George McCartney linked, only for the Northern Ireland international to see his effort saved by Lee, then the Hornets had two chances for glory.

Neil Cox could only direct his header wide of the goal from Ardley's corner then Webber created a chance for himself after some fancy footwork inside the Sunderland box, but Poom pushed his effort wide of the goal.

Fit-again duo Elliott and Stewart returned to the front-line with Chris Brown and Simon Johnson making way and, with Stephen Wright back after suspension, Mark Lynch stepped aside.

Watford were forced into a re-think just before kick-off when Brynjar Gunnarsson had to limp out with Dominic Blizzard replacing him.

Sunderland's first chance arrived in the fourth minute when Sean Dyche hauled down Stewart at the left hand edge of the box. But Dean Whitehead's free kick was hit straight at the wall.

The home side hit back almost immediately with Danny Webber denied by McCartney before Heldar Helguson fired wide from the edge of the area.

It was an early warning for the Black Cats' defence that wasn't heeded, and before ten minutes were up the Hornets had gone ahead.

Sunderland failed to clear former Middlesbrough defender Cox's ball in and an unmarked Ardley was at the far post to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

A messy spell ensued and Sunderland were gifted an equaliser in the 22nd minute when Stewart was adjudged to have fouled Blizzard. Cox's quick free-kick, however, was hit straight to Jeff Whitley, who immediately put through a defence-splitting pass that had Elliott bearing in on goal.

The Irishman was coolness personified as he calmly drew Richard Lee before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper.

Spurred on, McCarthy's side began to cut through the Watford line at will with first Stewart then Julio Arca denied by Lee.

A second goal appeared only a matter of time. Just after the half hour Wright turned up on the left side of midfield to launch another attack.

He got to the byline and somehow managed to cut the ball back for Whitley to curl the ball in to the back post.

Stewart turned it back in and the ball ricocheted of Dyche straight to Lee.

As Watford sat back Sunderland attacked and just before the interval Whitehead fired over at the second attempt from McCartney's great ball in.

The second half began with a downpour and the slippery conditions almost allowed Watford to move back in front.

Wright gave the ball to Ardley and his first-time ball to the dangerous Danny Webber should have been cut out by Steve Caldwell.

Unfortunately the Scot slipped on the greasy surface and he was thankful to Poom, who dived at the feet of the nine-goal striker to keep the scores level.

As the errors began to mount so McCarthy's frustration increased. He made his first change after 70 minutes with Michael Bridges replacing the tiring Stewart. McCarthy also replaced the ineffective Whitley with Liam Lawrence with just over ten minutes left and then sent on Chris Brown for Elliott.