Colchester United's U23s fell to a narrow defeat on Monday evening as, for the second game in a row, they were involved in a five goal encounter.
This time, it was the opposition who took the win, as a late Watford goal saw them run out victors.
In a half without too many clear cut chances, the U's took the lead after 37 minutes when Ken Charles rose highest at a corner to glance home a fine header.
All square at the break, Watford took the lead on 57 minutes when Harry Forster bent home a low shot into the far side netting.
But it was soon level again, as Chris Forino beat Sam Howes in the Watford goal to head home and make it 2-2.
The two teams traded possession in the final half an hour of the game, but it was the Hornets who took the win with the ball worked across the box for Dan Phillips to smash home the decisive goal.