Watford Under-23s begun their new season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Alex Jakubiak's opener, seconds before the break, proved the difference in the West Midlands as a stoic Hornets defence held firm in the second half.

Watford had been forced to name a makeshift back four but they denied the Blues on a number of occasions as they threatened an equaliser.

Debutant goalkeeper Charlie Bannister also enjoyed a stellar performance between the sticks as Watford hung on to their goal advantage to get off to the best possible start.

Harry Kewell's side could have led inside 90 seconds when a long ball was cleared for a corner, and Ogo Obi blazed over from the delivery.

Birmingham responded through an early Koby Arthur drive, and the youngster soon came close twice more, his best effort forcing Bannister into a smart save inside 15 minutes.

More chances followed for the hosts with Arthur again at the heart of the moves, but they again were wasted.

Having dominated much of the play in front of goal, they fell behind before the break when hit by a stinging Watford counter-attack.

Seconds after clearing a corner from under his own crossbar, Charlie Rowan set clear Michael Folivi. His cross was sliced to the feet of Jakubiak, who needed no second invitation to break the deadlock.

After the break, Watford almost doubled their advantage when Carl Stewart volleyed over from the edge of the box, before Birmingham begun to re-assert their dominance.

Another well-delivered corner found Kyle McFarlane, whose header was cleared off the line by Max Ryan, before Arthur wasted another good chance when well placed.

Bannister’s impressive debut continued late on as he turned away Charlie Adams’ long-range effort, and he and his defence held firm despite a late bombardment to claim an opening-day win.