It proved a valuable workout, with 21 players gaining minutes during the international break, and Charlie Austin was on target from close range in the first-half to give Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.



The R’s responded two minutes into the second-half when Josh Scowen’s through ball allowed Pawel Wszolek in to finish.



Saints regained the lead though when Sam Gallagher showed superb close control to take the ball in from a raking long-range pass, before coolly dinking over Matt Ingram.



And after Jordan Cousins had levelled for the visitors, an incisive counter-attack saw Yan Valery release Jake Vokins, who burst away from Osman Kakay before slotting the ball into the corner with his favoured left foot to seal victory.

Related Watford fixture handed new date