Lee Martin missed a second half penalty as Town’s reserves lost 1-0 against Watford at Boreham Wood on Monday evening. Lewis Young, brother of England midfielder Ashley, netted the game’s only goal in the 25th minute.
Town's Owen Garvan saw a shot tipped over on 16 and from the resultant corner Pim Balkestein had a header cleared off the line.
Michael Bryan hit the bar for the home side soon after and in the 25th minute the Hornets went in front. Young was played in from the Watford left behind Jack Ainsley and hit a shot under Arran Lee-Barrett.
Young came close to scoring a second before the break when Lee-Barrett tipped a cross-shot round the post.
Town, who were playing with Lee Martin up front with Colin Healy behind him, should have been back on terms just before the break but Jack Colback couldn’t finish at the far post after a break from Reggie Lambe.
Early in the second half Balkestein had a header cleared, then on 66 the Blues had a golden opportunity to restore parity. Eddie Oshodi was harshly penalised for handball as a Lambe cross came into the box and Martin took the responsibility from the spot. Keeper Richard Lee went one way and the ball went the other but unfortunately for Town the wrong side of the post.
Watford keeper Jonathan Bond made a fine save from a powerful Balkestein strike on 79, then four minutes later pushed a Martin shot round his post. Late on Watford could have increased their lead with Lee-Barrett making two sharp saves.
Town, for whom Jack Colback was probably the standout performer, showed a lot of endeavour without creating much in the way of end product, perhaps unsurprisingly with two midfielders playing in the striking roles for the most part.
The game was watched by first team coaches Tony Loughlan and Steve Foley and chief scout Steve McCall.
Reserves: Lee-Barratt, Ainsley, Brown, Balkestein, Carson, Upson (Murray 70), Garvan, Healy, Colback, Lambe (Hyam 74), Martin. Unused: McLoughlin, Eastman, Cawley.
Thanks to Terry Roberts for the report.