Myles Peart-Harris scored within the first half to place the Yellows forward earlier than a late strike from Mark Harris secured the three factors.
Elsewhere, Portsmouth beat Middlesbrough and Leicester City misplaced to Swansea City, seeing Oxford rise to twenty second, nonetheless one level from security.
For the primary time in 4 video games, Oxford obtained by the primary ten minutes with out conceding a purpose as they fended off some early speculative crosses and a shot over from Imran Louza.
A good early transfer additionally noticed Jamie Donley spoon a shot over.
Jeremy Petris regarded just like the Hornets’ greatest risk getting excessive up on the best however the U’s have been wanting promising on the break, profitable a free kick on their proper flank.
Cameron Brannagan’s ball in was not dealt with and fell to the ft of Peart-Harris who tapped dwelling from shut vary for his second purpose in yellow and blue.
The Hornets tried to hit again instantly, forcing a save from Cumming and seeing pictures are available in from Luca Kjerrumgaard and Nampalys Mendy.
There regarded an awesome likelihood for Donley quickly after as Stan Mills discovered him on the break, the Northern Ireland worldwide opting to shift onto his left as an alternative of hit it first time, shedding out to his marker.
Half time approached with Ed Still’s aspect wanting unimaginative in assault, the U’s comparatively comfy, Michal Helik seeing the ball go extensive from a free kick which the goalkeeper palmed towards him.
An early second-half save noticed Jamie Cumming tip Nestory Irankunda’s shot from vary over the crossbar, earlier than stress from Oxford noticed Brannagan have a shot blocked within the field.
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Further stress noticed Mills and Will Lankshear each head at purpose, the previous nodding over and the second on the keeper.
A number of penalty appeals went unrewarded as Mills and Lankshear went over within the field as makes an attempt adopted from Donley and Mills from vary.
Hornets substitute Mamadou Doumbia nodded extensive earlier than Yunus Konak swerved a shot at purpose which was saved on the different finish.
The Watford striker hit one other shot over, Ciaron Brown then thwarting Irankunda within the field with a great sort out shortly after.
Nerves started to kick in as the sport entered stoppage time, however they have been shortly banished when substitute Harris latched onto the ball and drove into house earlier than firing previous Egil Selvik from angle to safe a large three factors.
Oxford: Cumming, Long, Helik, Brown, Spencer, Konak (Vaulks 90+3), Brannagan, Mills, Donley (Harris 87), Peart-Harris (ter Avest 78), Lankshear (Romeny 90+3)
Watford: Selvik, Petris (Keben 61), Pollock, Goglichidze (Ince 89), Abankwah, Mendy (Baah 60), Louza, Irankunda, Kayembe, Chakvetadze (Maamma 68), Kjerrumgaard (Doumbia 61)
Bookings: Peart-Harris; Irankunda, Louza
