Watford Under-21s slumped to their third consecutive defeat as they were beaten 3-2 by Charlton Athletic at Vicarage Road.

And the pattern of conceding early goals that has plagued the first team of late appears to have crept into the young team as for the second successive game they were a goal down in a couple of minutes.

Alan Mwamba slotted Henry Rylah through on goal and although the winger saw his initial effort saved by Jonathan Macaulay, the rebound fell into his his path and he tucked it away.

Watford’s response was swift though and they levelled after only four minutes when great approach work from Toby Adeyemo allowed Mamadou Doumbia to tap in for the equaliser.

Adeyemo then hit the bar after a fine cross from Albert Eames, but the visitors went back in front after 12 minutes.

Kaheim Dixon capitalised on a mistake in the Hornets defence, and with only Macaulay to beat he tucked the ball away.

Michael Adu-Poku forced a save from Charlton keeper Lennon MacLorg but the Addicks extended their lead after 36 minutes when Dixon squared to Miles Leaburn who hammered a shot past Macaulay.

Two minutes later Watford were awarded a penalty but McLorg made a good save to deny Adeyemo, and Charlton went in at the break leading 3-1.

Early in the second half Adeyemo glanced a header just wide from a Leo Ramirez-Espain cross before McLorg made another fine save to keep out a Doumbia shot from the edge of the box.

In the 77th minute Antonio Tikvic teed up Zavier Massiah-Edwards and his deflected shot hit the bar.

A minute from time Watford did pull one back when Jonathan Lawson broke into the box and slipped the ball to Doumbia, who in turn moved it onto Aidan Coyne and the midfielder drove the ball into the far corner.

The defeat at the hands of Premier League Development League South leaders Charlton, who have won six of their seven games, leaves Watford fifth in the table.

The Under-21s are next in action on Tuesday when they travel to face Ipswich Town.

Watford: Macaulay; Abbott, Watkiss (Gould 73), Ramirez-Espain, Tikvic, Clarridge, Eames (Almeida 73), Coyne, Adeyemo (Massiah-Edwards 73), Doumbia, Adu-Poku (Lawson 82). Unused sub: Ortelli