Watford defender Miguel Britos was dismissed on his Hornets debut as the Golden Boys were knocked out of the Capital One Cup after defeat at Preston North End

A makeshift Golden Boys side were beaten 1-0 at Preston North End. Several Watford players were given the chance to impress but all failed to do so.

None more so than Britos. He missed the first two games of the season due to suspension but was handed his debut at Deepdale.

In the first half he was booked. In the second he was shown a straight red card for elbowing a Preston defender. The Watford centre-back’s first appearance for the club lasted 74 instantly forgettable minutes.

But Britos wasn’t the only one to disappoint. Eleven changes were made to the Watford side which started Sunday’s draw with Southampton. And it showed.

Giedrius Arlauskis began in goal behind a back four of Juan Carlos Paredes, Gabriele Angella and debutants Britos and Nathan Ake.

Connor Smith partnered Ben Watson in front of the Hornets' defence while Fernando Forestieri, Almen Abi and Miguel Layun started behind lone striker Matej Vydra.

The only goal of the first half arrived in the eighth minute of the contest. It was slightly fortuitous. A shot bounced into the air and fell invitingly for Josh Brownhill.

He attempted a volley but didn’t make clear contact. However, the ball ran into the path of Marnick Vermijl and he slotted past Arlauskis from ten yards out.

Watford failed to respond. Their passing was poor. They lacked penetration up front and were often bullied out of possession.

If Vydra wanted to prove a point to Flores after not featuring in the opening two Premier League games of the season, it didn’t show.

The striker, who admittedly is not suited to playing as a lone striker, was largely a bystander in the opening period.

The one sight of goal the Czech Republic international did have was a 20 yard volley which, on the stretch, he directed wide.

Shots from distance were the best the visitors could offer in the first half. Forestieri smashed a free-kick well over and Layun’s 20-yard drive also cleared the crossbar.

Watford’s 4-2-3-1 system wasn’t working. But there was no change at the half time interval.

Preston remained the better side after the break. When they attacked the Hornets' defence appeared unsettled.

Brownhill almost had a clear sight of goal only for Angella to clear. The ball eventually found former Hornet Joe Garner and his low shot was saved by Arlauskis.

Kyel Reid then came close. The winger collected a long pass, held off the challenge of Ake, skipped past Paredes but his strike from distance went just wide.

Hornets winger Steven Berghuis was introduced in place of Smith with 30 minutes remaining. It meant Abdi dropped into a deep midfield position alongside Watson.

Berghuis made an impact following his arrival. He cleverly found space and always attempted to pass forward.

One of those passes put Forestieri in on goal but from six yards out he dragged his shot wide and out for a throw.

Watford, finally, offered a threat going forward. Watson was denied a goal by an excellent save from Jordan Pickford. A corner was given.

Up came Britos and Angella. The former engaged in some pushing and shoving in the penalty area and reacted. He threw an elbow.

It was spotted by the linesman and, after consulting with the referee, the Uruguayan defender – who had been booked in the first half - was shown a straight red card.

The corner Watson had won was eventually taken. Berghuis delivered the cross and Watson did well to divert the ball towards goal. Unfortunately for the visitors, it just cleared the crossbar.

Britos’ dismissal halted the momentum Watford had started to build. Preston were able to see out the final 15 minutes comfortably.

They came close to adding to their lead. Garner fired towards goal from distance and the ball struck Angella and deflected just wide.

At full time the Watford players made their way to applaud the travelling group of Hornets supporters. They deserved more.

The Golden Boys side is likely to change completely on Saturday for the trip to Manchester City.

Those who featured at Deepdale can have no complaints.

Preston North End: Pickford, Woods, Huntington, Wright, Clarke, Vermijl, Kilkenny, Brownhill, Browne, Reid (Humphrey 85), Garner (Beckford 85).

Preston North End substitutes: Kirkland, Davies, Welsh, Gallagher, Johnson.

Watford: Arlauskis: Paredes, Angella, Britos, Ake; Watson, Smith (Berghuis 60); Layun, Abdi, Forestieri; Vydra.

Watford substitutes: Gilmartin, Belkalem, Pudil, Hoban, Dyer.