Veterans Nicky Barmby and Dean Windass were on target as Hull beat Watford 2-0 in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Former England man Barmby steered his hometown club ahead after a calamitous moment in the home defence shortly after Dan Shittu had had a goal chalked off for Watford, before Windass grabbed his 200th goal in English football to put Phil Brown's side on course for Wembley.

Watford pushed hard to get back in the game in the second half, but Hull keeper Boaz Myhill was in inspired form to ensure his side have a two-goal cushion for the second leg at the KC Stadium.

Watford's woes deepened when captain John Eustace was sent off on the hour for a tackle from behind on Richard Garcia.

Hull boss Phil Brown backed the referee on both big decisions.

He said: "The referee had a great game. I can say that after the two major decisions.

"For the goal it looked to me that he was climbing all over one of our defenders and the whistle went before he even headed the ball

"The fourth official saw a headbutt for the sending off so that is clear cut.

"I was hoping that the fourth official would play a part and he did.

"The most disappointing thing was not to get the third and kill it off. To be disappointed with a 2-0 is staggering but we could have won by three or four."

But Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd confirmed they plan to appeal against Eustace's red card.

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