Three goals in the last eight minutes of a pulsating clash against Peterborough United - including two from substitute Laken Torres - powered Watford’s Under-21s to a first PL Professional Development League win of the season at Vicarage Road.

The Young Hornets - skippered by George Abbott following his loan recall from Chippenham Town - found themselves on the backfoot early on, when Posh captain Charlie O’Connell converted from the penalty spot with just 15 minutes on the clock.

A Jack Grieves shot midway through the first half signalled the home side’s growing stature in the game, and James Collins - who featured on the first-team bench against Stoke City last month - duly curled a free-kick around the wall and into the net to make it 1-1 12 minutes before the break.

Collins thought he had snatched the lead for his team in the opening stages after half-time, only for play to be pulled back for a Peterborough free-kick, and then Harley Mills restored the visitors’ lead with a fine effort from the edge of the box.

Hopes of a share of the spoils seemed to be plucked from Watford’s grasp when Gabriel Overton made it 3-1 in the 78th minute, but a quickfire double from half-time replacement Torres - the first a header, the second a composed close-range finish - soon had the hosts back on level terms.

Though a point seemed a somewhat just reward for the Golden Boys’ endeavours, Charlie Davis had other ideas, the 18-year-old midfielder cutting onto his right foot and finishing in the fourth minute of injury time to seal three valuable points.

Following a draw and two defeats in their first three outings of 2023/24, Lead Coach Charlie Daniels was delighted to see his players show the effort and determination to get over the line in such dramatic fashion.

He said: I’m really pleased for the boys. I thought we dominated the game - especially in the first half - and though James Collins scored the free-kick, I felt we deserved a bit more.

“Going 3-1 down after half-time wasn’t ideal - and we’ve spoken after the game about different things, such as that when you’re on top and lose the ball you need to recover space - but they’re still learning, and to come back and score three goals was brilliant.

“It’s been a long pre-season, and we had three tough games in the league before today. There was disappointment after the matches against Fleetwood and Sheffield Wednesday, so to step up and get the win today is good for us and we can look forward now.”

The impact of summer arrival Laken Torres particularly pleased former Tottenham and Bournemouth defender Daniels, while he also highlighted a handful of other individuals who helped swing the game in Watford’s favour.

“It was great to see Laken come off the bench and get the goals, and for Charlie to get the winner so late on was the icing on the cake.

“Laken had a big impact, but that’s what we expect of the subs really. They’ve all got the chance to be difference-makers, and I think they’ve all done that today.

“Laken got the goals, Dawid Hamiga caused plenty of problems with his dribbling, and there was Leo [Ramirez-Espain] as well who was crucial to giving us the platform to build and get chances. All the boys deserve credit today, and long may it continue.”