An 83rd minute goal from Tommy Smith condemned Watford to a 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Town and, for the first time this season, the Hornets have suffered back-to-back Championship defeats.

Smith fired home from 12 yards in the closing minutes of the contest at Portman Road to secure victory for the Tractor Boys.

The result, coupled with Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Birmingham City, has seen Watford fall from top spot to fifth in the table in the space of a week.

For the second game in succession, Slavisa Jokanovic made five changes to his Hornets side. Unlike in midweek, there were no disapproving voices from the Watford fans.

In came Sebastien Bassong, Daniel Pudil, Keith Andrews, Gianni Munari and top scorer Matej Vydra.

After an indifferent opening ten minutes to the contest from the two sides, both had chances to take the lead.

Watford’s came first. A mistake in the Ipswich defence allowed Fernando Forestieri time on the ball. He slipped a pass to the sprinting Munari and the Italian’s effort from 12 yards was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski.

The hosts quickly responded. Patient build up play allowed Luke Chambers time to pick out a cross and Daryl Murphy flicked the ball towards the top corner. Heurelho Gomes was alert and acrobatically pushed the ball over the crossbar.

Murphy then worked Gomes again. The striker received a pass, turned and shot from 15 yards. However, his strike was straight at the Hornets stopper.

Both sides had spells of possession throughout the half. Ipswich attempted to get the ball into wide areas and cross while the Hornets tried to use the pace of Vydra and Forestieri to get behind the hosts' backline. 

The latter felt he should have been awarded a penalty midway through the half. The diminutive attacker attempted a trick past Chambers and managed to evade the defender.

Forestieri crossed before going down under pressure from the Tractor Boys’ captain. Referee Eddie Ilderton waved away the appeals.

The Hornets created the better opportunities as the half progressed. Pudil had a goal-bound shot cleared away before Troy Deeney’s turn and half volley from 15 yards was blocked by Chambers.

It was the final chance of an open first half.

Neither manager made a change to their side at the interval and both teams continued to create chances.

Watford were dangerous when they countered from Ipswich corners. A move between Forestieri and Vydra ended with the Czech Republic striker cutting the ball back for Deeney but he fired well over from the edge of the area. 

Ipswich attempted to take advantage of the Hornets’ frailty when defending balls into their penalty area.

Several crosses were sent into the Watford box but were usually cleared. One that wasn’t fell to Murphy. The striker forced Gomes into an excellent reaction stop before noticing the raised offside flag.

Ipswich sustained heavy pressure on the Watford goal and caused the visitors’ defence several problems.

Joel Ekstrand scythed down Jonny Williams and was booked before Stephen Hunt sent a lobbed shot onto the roof of Gomes’ goal.

The hosts pushed men forward in search of the opener but left themselves vulnerable in defence. Watford almost took advantage. Daniel Tozser clipped a pass over the Tractor Boys’ backline for Vydra.

The striker took a touch, looked up and crossed for Forestieri. The ball bounced just before reaching the forward and he was unable to keep his half volley from six yards from clearing the crossbar.

It was his last contribution. Odion Ighalo was sent on with 16 minutes remaining for the Argentine.

The Nigerian forward was almost immediately involved. Clever movement and a neat pass from Deeney saw him in on goal, but Christophe Berra quickly reacted and blocked his shot.

Despite their chances, Watford’s second half performance had been poor. And, with seven minutes remaining, Ipswich went in front.

The Tractor Boys were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Watford penalty area. The ball was played short before Kevin Bru fired towards goal.

His effort was blocked but the ball fell to Smith who lashed his shot past Gomes from 12 yards. 

Watford had time to react. Sean Murray replaced Andrews in the 85th minute. The young midfielder had little effect.

Six minutes were added at the end of the second period. Groans came from the home support.

The Hornets did have one chance. A scramble in the six yard box saw the ball fall to Munari. His shot wasn’t the strongest and Bialkowski saved.

The full time whistle was blown moments later. The Hornets were beaten again.

It was a game either side could have wone. Both had chances but, crucially, Ipswich took one of theirs.

Ipswich Town: Bialkoswki; Chambers, Berra, Smith, Mings; Bru, Williams (Bishop 61), Tabb; Murphy, McGoldrick (Sammon 90) , Hunt.

Ipswich Town substitutes: Crowe, Parr, Ambrose, Anderson, Bajner.

Watford: Gomes; Paredes, Ekstrand, Bassong, Pudil; Tozser, Munari, Andrews (Murray 85); Vydra, Deeney, Forestieri (Ighalo74). 

Watford substitutes: Bond, Doyley, Cathcart, McGugan, Dyer.

Attendance: 22,490 (1,583)