David Horseman says Watford’s Under-18s must use the disappointment of last night’s FA Youth Cup defeat to Swansea City to improve or risk missing out on earning a professional contract.

The young Golden Boys had taken the lead in south Wales through Ogo Obi but the hosts hit back and were in front at the interval following goals from Steven Fallon and Owain Jones.

Watford were unable to hit back in the second period and Dan James grabbed Swansea’s third goal of the evening to ensure their passage into the fourth round of the competition, where they wil take on either Doncaster Rovers or Norwich City.

“We think we have some boys who can perform on the big stage but they didn’t this evening,” Horseman, the club's lead professional development coach, told Watford’s website.

“Disappointment should be the motivation that takes them forward. They are disappointed and rightly so. But the ones that learn from it, embrace it and use it to drive them forward, they’re the ones who will make our first-team.

“They need to use this feeling and say 'I don’t like it.' We’ll train harder and work with the individuals in certain areas to improve."