Beppe Sannino highlighted the importance of Watford retaining possession in the opposition half when he was asked about his team securing victory over Ipswich Town– with conceding late goals a continual problem for the Hornets in recent months.

Last Saturday’s injury-time equaliser for Millwall meant the Golden Boys had dropped seven points in their previous eight matches due to shipping goals in the 85th minute or later.

With the Hornets now five points below the play-off places, with a game in hand, those late goals have proved extremely costly for the Hornets, to the annoyance of Sannino.

It wasn’t a concern for Watford this afternoon though as they comfortably held on to a 3-1 victory over fellow play-off chasers Ipswich Town.

The home team defended well and kept the ball in the Ipswich half for a considerable part of injury-time.

And Sannino said: “What was important today was winning the game, and not conceding in the last ten, 20 minutes was good. But I want to praise the way we were able to bring the ball in their half and play away from our box.

“Also the players who came on today gave us what I was looking for. [Substitutes Cristian] Battocchio, [Sean] Murray and [Daniel] Pudil were in the game at the right moment and I was pleased with them.”

Manuel Almunia contributed to Ipswich’s second-half equaliser with a poor clearance and then Watford’s defence failed to deal with the subsequent throw-in and cross which ended with Anthony Wordsworth equalising.

But the experienced goalkeeper made a superb save with the score 1-1 when he tipped Luke Hyam’s header on to the crossbar and minutes later Watford went on to score their second and third goals.

Sannino said: “I think the turning point was when they hit the crossbar. From that moment we were able to play good football, we were looking to score and we scored two very good goals.”

On the play-offs, the head coach added: “I won’t talk about the play-offs but I want to underline that my team played a good game against a very good team today and this gives more value to our victory.”

Click here to read a match report from today's game.

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy's comments can be read here.