Watford Under-23s made it three games without defeat as they overcame Cardiff 1-0 at London Colney.

The Hornets were without several regular members of their second-string side, who have been sent to pastures new for the rest of the season for a taste of real men's football through loans in the Football League.

It meant there were two debutants at Under-23 level but Dennon Lewis, fresh from his own loan at Crawley Town, slotted in the only goal of the game after rounding Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Lee Camp.

His strike after 10 minutes was symptomatic of the style the Hornets played with all afternoon, chasing and harrying lost causes all over the pitch.

He found a path to goal gifted by Rhys Abbruzzese, who left a back-pass under pressure wanting, and the winger nipped in to take the ball beyond Camp and fire in.

Max Ryan had a goalbound header cleared from the line moments later, but having burst out of the blocks and pushed Cardiff back, the Welsh side exerted some pressure of their own after gaining their bearings.

Their chances predominantly fell in the second half, forcing Sam Howes into four first-class saves, but Hayden Mullins' side could have struck again late on but Lewis had to settle for his solitary goal.

Watford Under-23s: Howes; Eleftheriou (C), Ryan, Suckling, Sesay; Stewart, Charles; Lewis (Adedeji, 85), Pereira, Williams; Cruz Cabrera (Adebiyi, 75).

Not used: Lacy, Leighton, Phillips.