Watford’s Under-23s came up short against Cardiff on Monday as they went down to a 2-0 defeat on the road.

Both Cardiff goals came in the second half as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing opened the scoring with 67 minutes played before Gary Madine added a second in stoppage-time.

A lively start saw the Hornets have the better of the early exchanges as Michael Folivi led a number of forays into the Cardiff half, which ultimately proved fruitless.

The home side had their first attempt on goal with seven minutes when a cross was cleared to the edge of the box and Tyrone Duffus had a shot blocked.

Cardiff keeper Brian Murphy had to make a smart save with 10 minutes on the clock when Folivi took aim with a powerful effort which needed to be turned around the post.

With 20 minutes on the clock, the Bluebirds threatened once more when James White made a break into the box.

He was met by the advancing Same Howes and a coming together with the Watford keeper saw appeals for a penalty fall on deaf ears.

Howes was at the centre of the action once again soon after when Jake Evans sent a shot arrowing towards the bottom right corner but was denied by the Watford man.

After a scoreless first half, the second period continued to be an even contest with neither side offering an inch to the other.

Cardiff began to build up a head of steam as the game ticked beyond the hour and were rewarded for their greater attacking impetus with the go-ahead goal.

The goal was well worthy of breaking the deadlock as Mendez-Laing beat Howes with a fierce drive after a smartly constructed team move.

From then on the home side were in the ascendency but it took until the final throes of the game for them to seal the victory.

Madine, who at 28 is more accustomed to leading the line at senior level, got up well to connect with a cross and head into the top corner of the Watford net.

Watford are next in action on Friday when they take on Coventry City at home.

Hornets: Howes, Eleftheriou, Gordon, Charles, Hudson, Mukena, Forster (Bennetts 89'), Phillips (Hutchinson 76'), Cassidy, Holsgrove (Kraswiki 68') , Folivi. Subs not used: Tricker, Baptiste.