WATFORD reserves lost out by a single goal to Millwall at Boreham Wood this evening - while goalkeeper Jonathan North kept the score down when he saved a late penalty.

The Hornets found themselves a goal down on 38 minutes when Justin Cochrane fired a low, hard shot past North from 20 yards out.

In a game of few openings, the clash seemed to be a heading for a 1-0 Millwall victory until Jordan Parkes was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box.

Tom Brighton stepped up and North produced a great diving save to keep the score down to 1-0.

Watford's second string was young once more and was guided by captain for the night Matt Jackson, alongside young pro players in Jordan Parkes, Cedric Avinel and Alex Campana.

Meanwhile the visitors to Boreham Wood had the experienced Richard Shaw marshalling their back four. Ex-Hornet and current Millwall boss Kenny Jackett was there casting an eye over his players, while the Lions were coached by former Watford trainee Joe Gallen.  

On a bitterly cold evening at Boreham Wood it was the Lions who looked the more likely to score during the first 45.

Tom Brighton tested North's handling early on by firing in a shot after a neat head down by Ahmet Bakayogo.

Cochrane was involved in plenty of Millwall's play in the middle of the pitch and he was having a feisty tussle with Watford's Kieron Forbes.

Full back Parkes got forward well just after the half way mark during the first period and after drifting into the box his deft touch went just wide of the post.

Avinel was then at full stretch to deny Brighton a shooting opportunity but the loose ball was crossed back in and Cochrane's stinging shot was well handled by North.

Then shortly after the visitors took the lead with Cochrane lashing in a hard shot that evaded North and nestled in the corner of the net. In time added on at the end of the first half the Lions could have had a second, but North came to the rescue and denied Gary Bowes with a point blank save.

After the break the Golden Boys put in a more accomplished performance but they were unable to get themselves back in the game.

The referee was showing plenty of cards in a physical but far from dirty game and play was disrupted as a result of this.

Watford looked at their most dangerous once Liam Henderson came on and within minutes he had lobbed just over the bar after a hooked ball in from Ross Jenkins.

At the other end, schoolboy Lee Hodson was caught in possession and Bowes blasted over the target.

Henderson was making an impact and shot wide with six minutes remaining. The striker was creating problems alongside Lewis Young, Billy Gibson and Marvin Sordell as the Golden Boys tried to stretch the Lions to create an opening.

Millwall's chances had dried up but they were gifted an opportunity to double their lead with just four minutes left. The referee decided Parkes had handled in the area but North pulled off a spectacular save to round off a promising night for the young Welsh stopper.

A game of few chances, the Lions made their early advantage count and the Hornets couldn't muster the creativity to draw the score level.

WATFORD: North, Hodson (Kiernan 83), Parkes, Jackson, Avinel; Jenkins, Campana (L Henderson 67), Forbes, Gibson; Sordell, Young. Subs not used: Clarke, Brown, Whichelow.

BOOKINGS: Forbes (52), Sordell (54), Jenkins (66).

MILLWALL: Edwards; Callaghan (James 65), Barron, Shaw, Bakayogo; Keen, Brkovic, Cochrane, Ebsworth; Brighton, Bowes. Subs not used: Noel, Semper, Taylor.

GOALS: Cochrane (38).

BOOKINGS: Bowes (67), James (72), Brighton (81).  

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