Shefki Kuqi's early header gave Swansea an important 1-0 win at Watford which had ramifications at both ends of the Coca-Cola Championship table.

The former Ipswich striker had already spurned two good chances when he headed the winner at Vicarage Road as Paulo Sousa's side strengthened their hold on a play-off place.

However, the visitors were indebted to a pair of goal-line clearances from skipper Alan Tate as they shut out Watford - who are now right in the thick of a battle against relegation.

Malky Mackay's side find themselves just two points above the relegation zone in a congested table and will need to make the most of the visit of doomed Peterborough on Saturday to stave off the threat of the drop into League One.

Kuqi capped a frenetic first 45 minutes in which both sides should have scored at least twice with the solitary goal as the Swans made it an incredible 23 goals conceded in 35 league games.