Colchester United U23s have lost 3-1 at Watford
In a game played at St Albans City's Clarence Park stadium, the young U's opened the scoring through Freddie Hinds, (pictured), but were pulled back with an equaliser before half-time.
The U's more than matched their Premier League opponents during the second period, but went behind to a penalty with fifteen minutes left.
Chasing for an equaliser of their own, the U's left gaps at the back and Watford broke to make the game safe a few minutes from the end.
The scoreline didn't really reflect the gmae, and there was another positive - Harry Pell came through unscathed in his first match action since August.
Dave Huzzey, who was taking the game, was relatively pleased with how it went.
He told the official website: "We started well and deserved to go ahead with Freddie's header from a right wing cross."
"They had good spells in the game as well though, and got goals at important times.
"Harry got through sixty minutes, and not only did he get through them, he played well and showed a great attitude to the game and to the younger lads playing around him."