Despite a spirited performance, and several clear-cut chances in both halves, Watford’s Under-21 side were unable to leave the Orbital Fasteners Stadium with any points following a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the Professional Development League.

Substitute Raheem Conte grabbed the winner five minutes from time for the visitors after a well-worked attacking move, with the Golden Boys managing to stave off all prior threats to Gabriel Ortelli’s goal.

Damani Hunter went closest with two on-target efforts in the first 45, and midfielder Jack Taylor came off the bench to test opposition goalkeeper Rohan Luthra from range, but the result leaves the young Hornets, made up entirely of teenagers, still searching for a first win of the season.

Boasting the lion’s share of chances in the opening stages, winger Hunter looked particularly lively, firing at Luthra with an initial effort and missing the target minutes later.

Goalkeeper Ortelli, 16, made a good save to deny James Crole from close range in the only threatening chance of the first half from the visitors.

Centre-back Harvey Peters also came close from set-pieces, with one header deflected off the line and another going just wide of the post in the final touch of the half.

Conte’s late winner was one of very few chances for either side in the second period, receiving the ball inside the box from the right flank and tucking home a well-taken finish to break the deadlock.

Hornets Under-21 Lead Coach Omer Riza felt the goal went against the run of play.

“I was really pleased with all that we’ve done,” Riza reflected. “We dominated the game, Cardiff couldn’t deal with our build or our press, we nicked balls in the right areas and pressed with intelligence. I’m just disappointed for them, it’s painful. If you don’t take your chances, there’s always a chance it’ll end 1-0, so that’s a learning education for them that we’ll take into the next game.

“We created four or five good chances that we need to convert now, which we’ve been speaking about and maybe the boys have gotten a bit unsure of themselves because they’ve missed some chances in the past, but when you create chances it’s always something to work towards.”

Playing in a newer system and formation, Riza felt his players adapted well to their positions, particularly referencing striker Jack Grieves’ new role behind the front line and right-back Ryan Andrews’ efforts at centre-back.

The defeat provides a learning curve for the squad, but the boss saw promising signs and expects further progress in their next game, a trip to Queens Park Rangers on Monday (October 24, 7pm KO).

“We’re playing a certain structure and in a certain way to make us more disciplined, and we can’t concede goals too early and be non-competitive, we’ve definitely got that in our game now,” continued the Lead Coach.

“We’re staying in games and we’ve become very competitive which is really pleasing. Jack is playing in the 10 and he’s a nine, doing a great job for us out of possession, we’re happy with him. We’d like to give him more of an influence in possession but at the moment that’s how it is. He’ll always work hard because he’s got a great attitude.

“Ryan Andrews is playing at right-centre-half, we know he’s got pace and we know he can do that well, and it will give him a different learning environment, playing at centre-half is different to right-back or wing-back and he’s learning from that experience.”