Hull City boss Mike Phelan admits their late defeat at Watford was hard to take as they suffered their sixth consecutive Premier League defeat.

The visitors were on course for a hard-earned point before a late Michael Dawson clinched the victory for the Hornets.

Phelan said: “Defeats are always hard to take and we’ve had a couple lately. What pleased me today was the fact we were on the front foot in some of the game.

"I thought there were two chances for us and so did Watford in the whole game. But our two ones were probably better than theirs. But we suffer in the big league and the deflection was cruel."

The result leaves Hull third bottom while Watford are up to seventh with 15 points from ten games.

Phelan said: “I thought we were strong actually in the defensive side of it. Just before they scored we had a great opportunity to score ourselves but we didn’t take it and suffered the consequences.

"But the reality of the game is we’ve got to do more. We’ve got to learn and be better in the final ball and final third. Hopefully with more work it will come."