Watford’s unbeaten pre-season campaign was ended this evening at Cardiff City. The Hornets were beaten 2-1 by the Bluebirds. But results in friendlies aren’t important anyway, right?

The answer to that question is an emphatic no. However, the Golden Boys players are likely to be disappointed to have tasted defeat. The last time that happened was back in March.

Two goals from the impressive Joe Mason cancelled out Troy Deeney’s 30th minute equaliser in Wales.

But the final score isn’t ultimately that important. Gaining fitness and the chance for Quique Sanchez Flores to assess his squad is what these warm-up games are for.

Watford lined up in a very fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. Heurelho Gomes started in goal behind a back four of Allan Nyom, Sebastian Prodl, Craig Cathcart and Daniel Pudil. Valon Behrami and Ben Watson were the deeper midfielders with Etienne Capoue, Odion Ighalo and Jose Manuel Jurado interchanging positions behind lone striker Deeney.

Both sides started the contest inauspiciously. The ball was moved neatly around the pitch but neither defence was threatened.

That changed in the 19th minute. Patient build-up from the home side eventually saw the ball played out to Scott Malone. He moved forward and fired a 20-yard shot towards Gomes.

The Brazilian goalkeeper failed to push the ball clear and it was worked back into the penalty area for Joe Mason who nudged his shot into the near-post corner.

Cardiff were buoyed by the opening goal and pushed forward in search of a second. Bluebirds stalwart Peter Wittingham drilled a strike towards goal but it cleared Gomes’ crossbar.

For all of Watford’s possession in the opening half hour they hadn’t truly tested Simon Moore in the hosts’ goal. An Ighalo shot from distance which was comfortably saved their best effort.

Deeney then intervened. The Hornets captain told Cathcart to play a long pass forward the next time he had ball instead of maintaining possession. It worked.

The defender’s accurate 40-yard knock was collected by Deeney and he poked the ball past Moore and into the corner.

It was a goal that meant the contest was level at the interval. Inevitably, substitutions were made by Flores.

Three to be exact. Giedrius Arlauskis replaced Gomes, Jose Holebas came on for Pudil and Ikechi Anya was introduced for Capoue.

The changes almost had an immediate impact. Nyom broke down the right flank and delivered a near-post cross which was met by Anya.

The Scottish international glanced a header towards goal but the ball went narrowly over the crossbar.

It was the same result minutes later as this time Ighalo hooked a Nyom cross over the head of Moore and into the stands.

It was the Nigerian striker’s final contribution as he was replaced by Fernando Forestieri in the 64th minute.

The diminutive attacker’s first involvement was to win a corner for the visitors. It was delivered by Jurado and Bluebirds stopper Moore collided with Deeney and failed to collect.

After the ball was worked between several players it was eventually played to Watson whose low shot was parried clear by the Cardiff goalkeeper. The hosts were then able to clear the danger.

Deeney’s night was ended in the 74th minute as he was replaced by Matej Vydra, it meant Watford’s attack was short in stature and physical presence.

It perhaps explains why the Bluebirds ended the contest strongly. And they went back in front with ten minutes to play as Mason was slipped in on goal and fired past Arlauskis.

Watford offered little going forward in the final stages. New signing Steven Berghuis was introduced in the closing minutes in place of Jurado while Sean Murray was brought on for Behrami.

The Hornets created one chance to equalise. A cross was floated into the area for Forestieri but his attempted overhead kick bounced harmlessly wide.

Cardiff City: Moore, Peltier, Morrison, Connolly, Malone, Dikgacoi (O'Keefe 71), Whittingham, Ralls, Pilkington (Noone 71), Ameobi (Revell 64), Mason (Doyle 80).

Cardiff City substitutes: Wilson, Fabio, Harris, Ajayi.

Watford: Gomes (Arlauskis HT); Nyom, Cathcart, Prodl, Pudil (Holebas HT); Behrami (Murray 86), Watson, Capoue (Anya HT), Ighalo (Forestieri 64), Jurado (Berghuis 84); Deeney (Vydra 74).

Watford substitutes: Angella, Paredes, Hoban.