Watford ended a five-game run without a victory by thrashing Bradford at Vicarage Road in the Worthington Cup.

Gianluca Vialli's men cruised into the fourth round for the first time in nine years with a scintillating display led by two-goal Gifton Noel-Williams.

The much-fancied Watford striker Tommy Smith was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with a fine display in which he tested keeper Aidan Davison four times in the first 20 minutes.

Smith had a goal disallowed for an earlier infringement as Watford piled on the pressure and it took Bradford 29 minutes before they mustered their first goal attempt.

Davison made a fine save, back-peddling to turn over a cheeky, angled, chip from Micah Hyde after 20 minutes but was left with no chance in the 32nd minute when midfielder Hyde rose between two defenders to head firmly to the keeper's right to a cross from Smith.

Watford were good value for their lead but it took a fine save by keeper Espen Baardsen to protect it. Baardsen went down low to his left to turn away a well-struck, curling shot from Eoin Jess.

Just on the stroke of half-time Hyde worked the ball through to Patrick Blondeau whose cross was deftly nodded goalwards by Noel-Williams for the second.

Watford continued much in the same vein early in the second half and David Noble was unfortunate when he worked the ball down the right and cut back to fire in an angled shot which Davison was grateful to turn for a corner.

Five minutes into the second half and Watford were firmly in the driving seat when Ramon Vega ghosting in behind Noel-Williams met Stephen Glass's corner to head down into the net.

Bradford brought about a triple substitution but Watford continued to dominate and, when Noble slipped the ball down the left flank after 66 minutes, Glass checked back before knocking the ball into the stride of Noel-Williams.

The striker pushed the ball forward and then steered it into the net at the far post.

Watford lost some momentum when Vialli made two substitutions with an eye to Saturday's match.

But Watford's squad, although depleted by injuries, were still good enough to cause Bradford problems.

City broke back after 75 minutes when Ashley Ward rode a clumsy challenge from Vega and although Baardsen blocked the attempt the referee pointed to the spot and Ward duly despatched the penalty.

Watford had a chance of regaining their four-goal advantage when a reverse pass from Glass set up Heidar Helguson on the left, but the substitute's first touch turned the ball wide of the post.