Heartbreak for Watford at the final hurdle as they were beaten 3-2 by Fleetwood Town in the Premier Development League Under-17 Cup Final.

The young Hornets more than played their part in a thrilling first half when all five goals were scored, but the home side nullified their threat in a much more low-key second period where the Hornets rarely had a sniff of goal.

The first half was played at a frenetic pace from the first whistle, and both sides properly went for it – a good, old-fashioned toe-to-toe slugfest.

Watford should have been in front after only three minutes when Amin Nabizada skipped past two tackles on the left and got to the by-line.

He probably should have pulled the ball back though as Bellizia blocked his shot at the near post.

Nonetheless, five minutes later and they did go ahead.

It was great work from Kristian Shevchenko, firstly to get onto a low diagonal pass from Nabizada and then, when he was forced wide by Bellizia, the striker calmly circled back and drilled an angled shot into the far corner.

The lead lasted only seven minutes though as with their first serious threat Fleetwood levelled. Jack Doherty got away down the left and then pulled the ball back for Reece Wilkes to fire into the corner.

Shortly after Sam Morris kept it level with a really block with his legs at the near post after Roberts got in behind on the left and cut in to shoot.

Back came Watford and a superb long free kick from Morris released Nabizada down the left. The winger cut inside and shot from 20 yards, but Bellizia saved.

In the 26th minute, Fleetwood went ahead as Conor Haughey glanced home Crispin McLean’s inswinging free-kick from the left.

But the game swung again and Watford made it 2-2 only four minutes later.

It was great work from Shevchenko again, running onto the ball in the area, resisting a strong challenge and having the presence of mind to cut the ball back for Massiah-Edwards to thump it into the roof of the net from six yards.

But the home side responded once again and regained the lead in the 34th minute with a beautifully-executed corner straight from the training ground.

Liam Roberts played it short, dashed into the box and had the ball back-heeled into his path before having a touch to get it out of his feet and then hammering it low inside the near post.

Watford ended the half with a couple more openings, Shevchenko swivelling to fire wide and then Joel Sala heading down and into the arms of Bellizia from a deeply-struck corner.

Two minutes after the restart another clever corner ended with McLean curling the ball deep beyond Morris, and it clipped the post.

The Watford keeper was off his line quickly 10 minutes later, palming the ball away when Wilkes’ cross threatened to reach Roberts.

Morris excelled again in the 63rd minute when Roberts did really well to burst through two tackles on the left of the box before the Watford keeper blocked his shot from a tight angle with his legs.

However, Morris was left beaten in the 75th minute when Pele Smith let fly from 25 yards and the ball whistled narrowly wide.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes a free-kick was only cleared as far as Sala but his shot looped over the bar.

The big chance for Watford to level came and went in the 89th minute. Sala hit a long ball which was misjudged by the home defence - Massiah-Edwards was in behind in the box, but dragged his shot wide.

Watford: Morris; Bolding, Vancea, Ramirez-Espain, Sala, Notley (Hunt 59), Shevchenko, Galajevs (Bowlin 83), Massiah-Edwards, Sanghrajka (Stephenson 67), Nabizada. Subs: Thrussell, Smith