Watford Under-23s were defeated 2-1 away from home by a strong Bristol City team after two goals from Mo Eisa, either side of a Ryan Cassidy strike, were enough to beat the young Hornets.

The Professional Development League game was a chance for Darren Sarll to test his side against a strong team featuring an Australian International and an England Under-21 international.

In a goalless first half Michael Folivi went close for Watford amid a number of chances for the home side, who seemed to be struggling to find an end product.

But with 55 minutes on the clock, the Robins went ahead through a Eisa penalty, after Tom Richards was brought down in the box.

Their lead would last just eight minutes, however, with Republic of Ireland Under-17 international Cassidy getting his name on the score sheet again.

Watford gained some encouragement from their equaliser and were pushing to find a winner that would have seen them pick up a fourth win in six matches.

However, in the 77th minute, Eisa made sure the home side claimed the victory with an impressive second strike to which the Hornets had no response.

Speaking to the club website after the game, Sarll said he felt there was no disgrace whatsoever in losing to the more experienced City.

He said: “I thought it was a real good game for the players, a good experience to play against a side with plenty of Football League experience.

“They were strong, but then we were strong, too. In the first half an hour we had three good opportunities and we worked their goalkeeper. It was a good test, with plenty of positives and it was a good experience all round.”

Watford Under-23s: Howes; Hudson, Tricker, Mukena, Gordon; Sankoh, Phillps, Bennetts (Holsgrove 64); Forster (Hutchinson 81), Cassidy, Folivi. Subs not used: Baptiste, Mullings, Adebiyi.