League round-up: Watford bought back down to earth by five star Derby

Clapped out: Zola’s Watford suffered a heavy defeat at Pride Park (Getty Images)

Watford's ambitions of returning to the Premier League were dealt a blow when Gianfranco Zola's side were thrashed 5-1 by Derby.

Goals from Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick had the visitors behind before the break and second-half strikes from Conor Sammon, Will Hughes and Jamie Ward ensured a humbling defeat for the Hornets at Pride Park.

At the KC Stadium, Owen Coyle handed a debut to on-loan Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing as Bolton followed Tuesday's League Cup upset against Crawley with a 3-1 defeat of Hull. Peterborough are still searching for their first point after going down 1-0 at Birmingham.

James Vaughan equalised late as Huddersfield began life without Jordan Rhodes with a 2-2 draw at Ipswich. Deadline-day signings Billy Sharp and James Coppinger started on the bench as Nottingham Forest ended Charlton's unbeaten start with a 2-1 win at the City Ground.

Andy Keogh found the net twice as Millwall clinched their first home success of the season, a 3-1 victory against Middlesbrough, while Craig Mackail-Smith was on the scoresheet in Brighton's 3-1 win at Burnley.

League One

Jake Cassidy scored a hat-trick as Tranmere continued their impressive start with a 4-0 win against Colchester at Prenton Park. Yeovil remain hot on their heels after edging Doncaster 2-1.

Portsmouth had their on-loan Reading winger Jordan Obita sent off as they were beaten 1-0 by Oldham. Michael Appleton's side, who have been able to sign players only on one-month contracts, will face a ten-point deduction when they exit administration.

At Bramall Lane, Sheffield United unveiled the newly named Jessica Ennis Stand before their thrilling 5-3 win against Bournemouth, Nick Blackman's injury-time penalty securing three points for the Blades.

Hartlepool United picked up their first victory of the season at the expense of Scunthorpe, winning 2-0 at home, and Stevenage came from behind to draw 1-1 with Shrewsbury.

League Two

Despite dropping their first points of the season, Gillingham lead the way after a 1-1 draw against managerless Chesterfield, who sacked John Sheridan this week. Exeter Citymoved into second after beating Burton Alboin 3-0, while ten-man Fleetwood Town eased to a 4-1 victory over Aldershot.

The PFA's chairman Clarke Carlisle made his York City debut in a 3-1 win against Oxford United. The former Burnley defender has agreed a short-term deal at Bootham Crescent.

Cheltenham suffered their first defeat of the season, Mark Yates's side beaten by Accrington Stanley.

Scottish Premier League

Hibernian remain second behind Celtic following their 2-2 draw at Celtic Park. No goals elsewhere, as Ross Country held Kilmarnock at Victoria Park, while St Johnstone stay bottom after a stalemate with Dundee United.