WATFORD boss Malky Mackay was again forced to endure a frustrating 90 minutes at Vicarage Road as his ever hardworking squad had to accept defeat against Peterborough this Saturday.

"We applied the pressure but once again today, we were looking for someone to go and make the difference and put the ball in the net, we certainly had two or three players that were pushing to do that.

"But at the end of the day, the ball didn't end up in the net, even after a lot of pressure on their goal, but we've ended up without a goal."

Yet again, the Hornets found themselves on the wrong side of luck as it seemed nothing would go their way on the day.

"I think there were two great penalty shouts for us," said the manager.

"At one point, they headed a goal off the line as well.

"Again at that point the opposition have packed their area and what we've got is a young group of players here who are trying really hard.

"They had a great run of games, and now we're on a run where we're finding it more difficult and we've got to make sure we stick together during this period."

Peterborough, who last week had publically resigned themselves to relegation, sat deep in Watford's half to protect their one goal lead and proved a difficult nut for the Hornets to crack.

"There are teams that are going to come and make life difficult for you once they score a goal and sometimes you just have to go a bit longer in the game.

"I think pressure-wise, we camped in their half in the second 45 minutes and we were trying to look for opportunities and got into wide areas and getting the ball into the box, but it just didn't drop for them today.

"Their goal was a mistake we made as a team and we were punished.

"It was opportunist and it's the kind of mistakes we've got to cut out and stop it at the source, but also anticipate that might happen and cover our goalkeeper."

But the Watford boss refused to be disheartened and praised his team's  'never-say-die' attitude.

Malky said: "We've got a young group of players here who are trying their hardest. I see it every day in training and how they apply themselves.

"They are honest and working hard an putting their all in for the club and that's what I would ask people to look at.

"They're obviously disappointed they didn't score today, but I look at the effort they put in and the effort they put in on Tuesday and I can't be down about it.

"It would be different if they were going out there and just going through the motions.

"But today you see a team who have given their all and are frustrated."

The Scotsman is now preparing his side for their third home game seven days and a visit fro Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.

"Players want to play when they've had a disappointing day.

"They want to get back stuck in right away and they've got the opportunity to do that one Tuesday night."

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