A sluggish start cost Watford’s Under-23s as they went down to a 2-0 Premier League Cup defeat to Southampton at Vicarage Road.

Fresh from a spirited display against Blackburn Rovers on Monday, Watford were unable to match the performance levels they showed at Wealdstone’s St George’s Stadium.

They were left facing an uphill challenge with just five minutes on the clock when Callum Slattery sent an inswinging free-kick into the Watford box.

No attacker or defender got a touch on the dangerous cross but the flight of the ball ensured it found its way in at the far corner.

Watford pushed forward in search of a leveller but the Saints would nonetheless find the all-important second goal just past the half hour mark.

Again Slattery was the man to deliver for his side, converting from 12yards after Siph Mdlalose was brought down in the box by Ben Jones.

A second half of few chances saw the Hornets toil for a route back into the game but David Sesay’s effort from Dion Pereira’s cross, which was well saved, was as close as they came to registering.

Watford are back in action on Monday when they take on Millwall away from home in the Professional Development League.