Watford Under-23s slipped to a 3-0 defeat in their Professional Development League meeting with QPR at Vicarage Road on Friday.

The Hornets came into the match on the back of a 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra but failed to match the standards they set on Tuesday, as six enforced changes disrupted their rhythm.

They were behind after just four minutes as Aramide Oteh controlled in the box and fired low past Nathan Gartsdie to find the bottom corner.

What response Watford could muster in attack was largely repelled as Rangers kept the Hornets at bay and continued to pose a threat of their own.

The visitors made their dominance count just after the half hour when Josh Bowler cut in from the wing and finished with a powerful drive.

Watford came out with renewed impetus for the second half and went close to a leveller three times inside five minutes of the restart.

Any hope of a comeback was snuffed out with 20 minutes remaining, however, after Eberechi Eze smashed home a third from 25 yards.

The Under-23s will now turn their focus to a meeting with Leeds United on Tuesday.