Milutin Osmajic scored twice as Preston won 2-1 at Watford in a clash that saw North End manager Paul Heckingbottom sent off at half-time.

The loss was a third straight home defeat for the Hornets, despite Rocco Vata’s late reply. Preston won away for only the second time in the league this term – and deserved the points.

Watford were dealt an early blow when winger Kwadwo Baah pulled up mid-attack and had to be replaced by Festy Ebosele in the 14th minute.

Ryan Ledson’s attempt from 30 yards failed to trouble Hornets keeper Jonathan Bond but North End’s next attack saw them take a 17th-minute lead.

Debutant Jayden Meghoma made it, with the on-loan Brentford defender robbing James Abankwah of possession just outside the box on the left.

The England Under-19 international ran on to deliver a cross that was despatched by Osmajic right in front of the near post, with home fans’ appeals that Abankwah had been shoved over cutting no ice with referee Tom Nield.

Watford were almost caught out again, this time from the other flank when Kaine Kesler-Hayden twice motored into dangerous positions on the right.

Francisco Sierralta managed to block on the line the second time, when Kesler-Hayden’s cross was deflected goalwards – and the centre-back also foiled Preston’s next attack. Bond saved from Ali McCann after Mads Frokjaer had teed him up and Sierralta kept McCann’s reflex header on the rebound from going in.

Preston were well worth their lead but Heckingbottom was shown a red card in the interval for foul and abusive language aimed at the officials in the tunnel.

North End nevertheless carried on where they left off when Osmajic was sent clear within two minutes of the restart but Bond made another good save.

Ebosele was hurt and had to come off, with playmaker Giorgi Chakvetadze replacing the replacement.

Watford continued to be vulnerable to a ball over the top and Osmajic was not to be denied in the 56th minute. The Montenegro striker, sent clear by Frokjaer’s pass, out-paced half-time substitute Yasser Larouci before slamming a rising drive high past the helpless Bond at his near post.

Preston continued to dominate with Kesler-Hayden seeing a shot saved before Frokjaer fired wide.

Vakoun Bayo headed a decent chance at Preston keeper Freddie Woodman but Watford lost a third man to injury when Imran Louza had to be helped off.

Vata pulled one back in the 90th minute with a superbly-struck 25-yard drive that was too powerful for Woodman to stop but Preston negotiated seven minutes of added time.