Patrick Bamford has scored 12 goals in 26 appearances for Sheffield United this season
Patrick Bamford's second-half double helped Sheffield United to victory at out-of-form Watford.
The Blades' Championship status had already been confirmed by Oxford United's defeat at Derby earlier on Saturday, but Bamford's goals helped them climb above their opponents in a hugely tight mid-table.
Following a forgettable first half at Vicarage Road involving two teams with little to play for, Bamford opened the scoring when he deflected in Gus Hamer's shot.
The 32-year-old then scored his 11th league goal of the campaign by finishing Femi Seriki's cross from six yards.
Watford, who have failed to win any of their past five matches, drop below Sheffield United to 13th in the table, with just a single point separating 10th to 16th.
The Hornets still had an outside chance of making the top six at the start of this month, but they have suffered a series of poor results against sides below them in the table.
Following their last victory on 17 March, a 3-1 win over Wrexham, a lack of goals has been a big problem and they have only scored twice since.
They barely threatened Sheffield United this time around, with their best chances seeing Edo Kayembe firing over from close range and Mamadou Doumbia denied by Adam Davies.
At the other end, the visitors were much more clinical thanks to Bamford.
Although the striker's first was a touch fortunate, his second was outstanding as he doubled the lead with a clever flick.
Both sides now have 57 points and are destined for mid-table finishes with three matches remaining.
'Very difficult day' - Watford reaction
Still: 'It's a very difficult day'
Watford manager Ed Still told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"A very difficult day. When we lose, we lose together. I'm not going to throw anybody under the bus or criticise or point my finger at anybody.
"Everybody's made mistakes in the defeat. It's important that when you're in a moment like this everybody gets together.
"I'm not someone who gives up. I'm a fighter. I'm a winner. So for me it's about working out how to take the next step forwards."
'We put bodies on the line' - Blades reaction
'We needed that type of performance'
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"We needed that type of performance. We made really good, experienced, intelligent decisions.
"Getting the first goal was really important and to double it up pretty quickly was great.
"We put bodies on the line. We made tackles when we had to, we made recovery runs when we had to, and made really good decisions with the ball.
"I never felt a threat from them in the last 15 or 20 minutes."
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