Watford’s Under-21s are still looking for their first win of the new league season after they were beaten 3-1 by Fleetwood Town at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

It was another young-looking side that featured a triallist in the starting XI and two more on the bench.

The Hornets were behind after just three minutes when Town midfielder Pharrell Brown curled home a fine effort from just inside the box.

A smart stop from Jonathan Macaulay prevented further damage just after the quarter-hour mark, and on the stroke of half-time defender Alfie Eames – who had earlier been booked – got Watford back on level terms with a superb long-distance strike.

There was still time for Laken Torres to just fail in an attempt to poke the ball home from close range before the first 45 ended.

Nine minutes after the restart George Morrison restored the visitors’ lead, but Jonathan Lewis was only denied a 77th-minute equaliser by a great save.

As the clock ticked down Watford pressed for a second equaliser and then were caught on the counter attack nine minutes into stoppage time as Theo Williams broke away to secure the points for Fleetwood with their third goal.

Watford: Macaulay, Balogun (Gould 67), Eames, Taylor (Hamiga 67), Mullins, Stallard, Trialist, Davis (capt, Sikiru 86), Torres (Trialist 71), Watkiss, Lawson.