Watford’s Under-23s lost by the odd goal in seven as they played out an entertaining clash with Huddersfield Town at Vicarage Road.

The headlines for a game full of incident were taken by Town’s Rekeil Pyke as he scored a hat-trick to guide the Terriers to victory.

In doing so he also brought to an end a seven game unbeaten run for Watford which ensured they brought the curtain down on their home campaign in losing fashion.

It took less than a minute for Huddersfield to force the first opening of the game as Sam Howes got down well to deny Dominic Tear an early goal.

Having recovered from their sluggish start, Watford took the lead with seven minutes on the clock when Reece Stray played in Dion Pereira on the right flank.

Pereira then cut inside and played the ball to Ashley Charles who found the net with a fierce strike via the underside of the crossbar.

Rather than settle Watford down, the go ahead goal seemed to spur Town into life and they were level soon after as Pyke scored his first from close range.

Pyke had his second shortly after as he produced a moment of individual quality to put the visitors in front for the first time.

Driving inside from the left, Pyke skipped past Tom Leighton and curled a fine effort in to the far corner of Howes’ goal.

Pyke’s performance was not without its flaws, however, and he spurned the chance complete a first half hat-trick after Town had been awarded a spot kick.

Howes guessed right and threw himself to his left to make a simple save from a poor effort to keep Watford within one goal at the break.

It wouldn’t take long for the game’s star player to complete his treble, though, as Pyke burst into the box and fired under Howes 10 minutes after the restart.

The goal could easily have killed the game as a contest, but Ryan Cassidy was on hand to fire in from 12 yards and reduced the deficit.

Watford could even have been level as David Sesay shot wide and Cassidy was denied a brace by a smart save.

Michael Folivi then had a chance to tie the scores but was denied by a flying Harrison Davison-Hale save and Sesay then clipped the crossbar.

Predictably, Watford’s failure to take their chances was punished by Huddersfield and the Terriers were 4-2 up when Lewis O’Brien beat the offside trap and rounded Howes to score.

With seven minutes to play, Pereira gave Watford hope of a late revival as he made it 4-3, but time ultimately ran out on the Golden Boys.

Watford bring their Professional Development League campaign to a close when they face Colchester away from home on Thursday.