READING manager Steve Clarke made nine changes to his side ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final tie on Monday, as they went down 4-1 at Championship promotion hopefuls Watford.

The Hornets made a dream start as Aimen Abdi took just 53 seconds to put the home side in front and then Matej Vydra doubled the lead by half-time.

Three minutes after the break, Vydra played in Troy Deeney to score, before Jem Karacan pulled a goal back for the Royals.

Watford’s Fernando Forestieri completed the scoring with a left foot shot five minutes from time.

The loss saw Reading slip to 17th in the table and boss Clarke said afterwards: “I thought the scoreline showed how good the Watford forwards were.”

The Royals can now turn their attentions fully to their home FA Cup quarter-final tie against Bradford City on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The prize for the winners is a trip to Wembley to face Arsenal.