An understrength Town second string fell to a 2-0 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road. Steve McCall's side was weakened by the loss of a number of regulars who were involved in the U18 FA Youth Cup match at Stoke.

The Blues were so short of numbers that trialists John Paul Kelly and Dean McDonald were both in the starting line-up.

Conversely, the Hornets fielded a relatively experienced side, including former Town reserve keeper Alec Chamberlain, Lloyd Doyley, Danny Webber and Bruce Dyer.

Second half goals from Andy Ferrell and Anthony McNamee won the game for the home side.

Pablo Couñago had the ball in the net for the Blues, rebounding after Chamberlain had saved a shot from former Arsenal trainee Dean McDonald, and the Spaniard had a number of other chances to pull goals back.

Late on, Dean Bowditch watched his shot come back off the cross-bar, but Watford had had enough chances to increase their lead.

Town's reserves remain bottom of the FA Premier Reserve League (South) on seven points from 14 games, having won only one match this season.

Reserves: Price, Mitchell, Richards, Kelly (Atay 90), Sobers, Patten, Manning, Flack (Webster 78), Couñago, Bowditch, McDonald (Leabon 78). Subs not used: Boto.

Photo: Action Images

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