A single-goal defeat at home to Wimbledon and it’s now three league games without a win for Watford Women.

The 1-0 reverse at Grosvenor Vale means the Hornets have only scored once in those three fixtures, and drop to eighth in the table with the Dons leaping over them.

The only goal of the night came after 30 minutes when Ellie Dorey won the ball on the right of the box and chipped it into the centre where Kau’inohea Solomon-Taylor had got herself between two defenders and beat Maria O’Sullivan with a downward header.

The visitors had started the brighter and O’Sullivan denied Emily Donovan after eight minutes before Dorey sent a shot just wide of the upright soon after.

Watford began to work their way into the game and it needed a fine save from Dons keeper Rose Kite to keep out Sophie McLean’s fierce half-volley after 21 minutes.

Kite excelled again five minutes later, pushing away Lachante Paul’s shot.

Having gone behind, the Hornets very nearly drew level in the 38th minute when Flo Fyfe released Paul for a shot that whistled wide.

After the break the visitors threatened to extend their lead when goalscorer Solomon-Taylor sent a swerving effort wide before Cherelle Khassal saw her long-effort kept out by O’Sullivan.

Midway through the half Poppy Wilson had a shot blocked, and she was denied again along with McLean and Madison Perry in one sustained bout of pressure with 20 minutes left.

Watford made a number of changes in the last 15 minutes as they tried to salvage something but Wimbledon saw the game out to secure their third win in four league games and climb to fifth in the table.

The two teams meet again this Sunday (November 3), this time in the FA Cup at Plough Lane.

Watford: O’Sullivan; Filbey, Head, Chandler, McLean (Rossiter 89), Bowyer, Wilson, Haines, Paul (Davison 68), Perry (Hall 83), Fyfe (Lazaro 72). Unused subs: Goldsmid, Georgiou, Hind