Burnley 3-1 Watford

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd endured a difficult start to his reign as Burnley ran out winners at Turf Moor.

Dean Bowditch capitalised on hesitation in the Watford defence to open the scoring and James O'Connor doubled the lead before half-time.

After an aggressive second half, sub Dominic Blizzard headed the visitors back into the game after 77 minutes.

But, with the Hornets committing men forward, Jean-Louis Valois' injury-time strike confirmed a home win.

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Burnley boss Steve Cotterill:
"We have benefited from a couple of weeks' break but when you've been away you wonder what kind of effect it will have when you get back," he said.

"There was no need for me to worry for we played well in the first half and merited our two-goal lead.

"Watford had a right go at us in the second half but I still felt we were worthy winners."

Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd:
"I'm a winner and therefore it is always disappointing when you lose, but there were a lot of positives and plenty for me to be encouraged about.

"In the second half I felt we were terrific and with a bit of luck we may even have got back on level terms.

"I know our predicament but I'm more interested in looking up and not down."

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Burnley: Jensen, Cahill, Sinclair, McGreal, Camara, Oster (Valois 88), O'Connor, Hyde, Branch (Duff 81), Akinbiyi, Bowditch (Grant 81).
Subs Not Used: Coyne, Roche.

Goals: Bowditch 20, O'Connor 43, Valois 90.

Watford: Lee, Cox, DeMerit, Chambers, Smith (Darlington 73), Eagles (McNamee 73), Mahon, Gunnarsson (Blizzard 73), Young, Dyer, Bouazza.
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Doyley.

Goals: Blizzard 77.

Att: 11,507

Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).